The Auditor-General for the Federation, Mr Shaakaa Chira, has stressed that proper record-keeping remains central to the auditing profession and critical to national development, describing accurate documentation as the foundation of transparency, accountability and effective governance.
Chira said weak documentation systems undermine auditing processes and weaken financial management structures, noting that reliable records are essential for sustainable governance and institutional credibility.
He stated this during the unveiling of the book, “Record Keeping Fundamentals: Securing Your Legacy in Nigeria’s Tax Era,” authored by Patience Doye Odele.
Represented by a Director in the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, Babalola Olanrewaju, Chira said record-keeping strengthens accountability, promotes transparency, enhances financial discipline and improves resource management across both public and private sectors.
“Record keeping is central to our job as auditors, so let us keep the spirit alive for the benefit of our country. It is good to put pen to paper for history. To us, record keeping is fundamental to our office,” he said.
The Auditor-General further noted that confidence alone cannot replace documented evidence in governance and auditing processes.
“There is an adage that says confidence is different from evidence. You may have confidence, but having evidence is equally important, and evidence comes from proper documentation. Documentation itself is the foundation of bookkeeping,” he added.
He also stressed that the principles of proper documentation extend beyond institutions and businesses to individuals and households.
“All of us seated here, if our records from the date of birth are not properly organised, there may be distortions in the course of our growth and development,” he said.
Chira commended the author for highlighting the importance of documentation in preserving institutional memory and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Reviewing the book, Dr Oluwabusayo Fawale warned that poor record-keeping practices continue to create significant legal, financial and administrative problems in Nigeria.
According to him, inadequate documentation contributes to excessive taxation, inheritance disputes, failed succession plans, rejected loan applications and unfavourable court judgments.
“Nigeria’s poor record-keeping causes costly problems—excessive taxes, inheritance disputes, failed succession, rejected loans, and lost legal cases. Over 13 years as an auditor, the author saw these issues,” he said.
Fawale explained that the book targets entrepreneurs, family business owners and household managers, while positioning record-keeping as an essential tool for responsible planning and long-term wealth preservation.
Earlier, the author, Ms Patience Doye Odele, said the publication was inspired by over 13 years of professional experience in auditing, where proper documentation remains essential for accurate reporting and accountability.
She lamented that many Nigerians still underestimate the importance of preserving records and personal documents.
Odele recounted a personal experience in the Dominican Republic, where she lost her passport and travel documents after her bag was stolen.
“At one point, I travelled to the Dominican Republic, where my passport and bag were stolen. That experience made me realise the true importance of personal record-keeping,” she said.
She explained that the absence of a Nigerian embassy in the country delayed her return home for more than seven months while she attempted to recover her travel documents.
Linus Aleke
