Bamidele Salam elected first Nigerian secretary-general of African public accounts committee
Bamidele Salam elected first Nigerian secretary-general of African public accounts committee
Bamidele Salam, a member of the house of representatives, has been elected as the secretary-general of the African Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (AFROPAC).
Salam, who chairs the house of representatives committee on public accounts, was elected on November 4 at AFROPAC’s 6th annual general meeting and conference in Accra, Ghana.
The lawmaker representing Ede north, Ede south, Egbedore and federal constituency in Osun, is the first Nigerian to be elected to the position since its establishment in 2013.
In a statement on Thursday, the legislator described the development as recognition of the Nigerian public accounts committee’s contributions and efforts to strengthen accountability and transparency in public financial management.
“This election is significant for many reasons. First is the fact that it was the first time Nigeria is occupying such a strategic position in the organisation, which was founded in 2013,” the statement reads.
“Second is the fact that it reflects an appreciation of the remarkable work my team and I in the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives, Abuja, have done to reposition this constitutional committee of the National Assembly.”
Salam commended Tajudeen Abass, speaker of the house of representatives, for the opportunity to chair the public accounts committee and “implement our various initiatives unfettered”.
“I accept this new responsibility with a promise to keep the vision of AFROPAC stronger and more impactful,” he said.
He said his four-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2030, would focus on strengthening parliamentary oversight institutions, promoting sound financial management, facilitating greater collaboration among public accounts committees and driving the effective implementation of audit recommendations across African countries.
The house of representatives welcomed Salam’s election, saying it “marks a historic milestone for Nigeria’s legislature”.
According to the statement issued by Akin Rotimi, house spokesperson, the committee under Salam has recorded notable achievements, particularly in the recovery of public funds and the promotion of accountability in public financial management.
“Since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, the Committee has facilitated the recovery of over N200 billion in unremitted royalties and taxes from oil and gas companies,” he said.
“Beyond its core mandate, the Committee has advanced institutional reforms, digitalised its hearings and internal operations, and introduced a dedicated magazine to promote transparency, document its activities and enhance public access to its work.
“The Committee has equally expanded Nigeria’s regional parliamentary engagement through the hosting of major conferences. In 2025, it convened the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance in collaboration with the Senate Public Accounts Committee.
“It also hosted the 11th Regional Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC), marking the first time Nigeria hosted the regional gathering.”
Rotimi added that Salam’s election provides a valuable platform to extend Nigeria’s legislative oversight experience to the continental stage, deepen cooperation among African legislatures, and strengthen collective efforts to advance public accountability across the continent.
