FRC, CSJ Launch Second Fiscal Responsibility Index to Deepen Accountability in Public Sector

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), in partnership with the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) and with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, has launched the validation process for the second edition of the Fiscal Responsibility Index (FRI), aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline across federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The validation meeting, held in Abuja, brought together stakeholders to review the framework and methodology for assessing compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and other public financial management regulations.

Speaking at the event, Eze Onyekpere said the second edition of the Index builds on an established framework designed to measure fiscal responsibility and institutional compliance among federal agencies.

Onyekpere noted that the initiative comes as Nigeria approaches the 20th anniversary of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, adding that between 30 and 32 states have already enacted fiscal responsibility laws to promote accountability and prudent financial management.

He stressed the importance of sustaining public policies and legal frameworks through adequate financial and human resource investments.

“We must invest not only money but also human capacity to make Nigeria a country where citizens can thrive and realize their aspirations rather than seeking opportunities abroad,” he said.

In his keynote address, Acting Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Charles Chukwuemeka Abana described the exercise as a major step toward deepening fiscal discipline and strengthening public confidence in government financial management.

Abana said the Fiscal Responsibility Index was developed as an innovative tool for measuring compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, and related financial regulations governing public expenditure.

According to him, the inaugural edition provided valuable insights into institutional performance and demonstrated that transparency and accountability could be objectively measured and improved.

“The second edition builds upon lessons learned from the inaugural exercise. It incorporates stakeholder feedback, enhanced methodologies, and refined indicators to ensure greater accuracy, objectivity, and relevance,” he said.

He added that the Commission plans to institutionalise the Index as a regular assessment mechanism for monitoring fiscal governance across MDAs.

Also speaking, Ugochukwu Amakom highlighted the importance of sound fiscal policies in promoting sustainable economic growth and development.

Amakom expressed concern over Nigeria’s rising debt profile, stressing that public borrowing should translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ welfare and living standards.

He identified weak fiscal discipline, inadequate managerial capacity, poor financial management systems and conflicting regulations as some of the factors affecting effective budget implementation in the country.

Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that the Fiscal Responsibility Index remains a critical tool for promoting compliance, transparency, accountability and value-for-money in public expenditure management.

As part of the exercise, questionnaires for the second Fiscal Responsibility Index were distributed to participating MDAs, which have been given one month to complete and submit their responses to the Commission.

The FRC said the assessment is intended as a fact-finding and reform-driven exercise aimed at identifying gaps, strengthening institutional processes and improving fiscal governance rather than serving as an indictment of any agency.