Audit Effectiveness and Institutional Accountability in Nigeria: The Impact of Governance

Abstract

This study examines how audit quality relates to institutional accountability in Nigeria’s public sector, with governance playing a moderating role. Although several reforms have been introduced to improve oversight, accountability gaps still exist, which raises concerns about how effective auditing processes really are in public institutions. A quantitative approach was used, drawing data from auditors working in selected Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Nigeria through structured questionnaires. The analysis combined descriptive statistics and multiple regression techniques to assess how different aspects of audit quality, such as independence, transparency, credibility, accuracy, and compliance affect accountability. It also tested whether governance strengthens or weakens these relationships. The results show that audit independence, transparency, and credibility have a clear and positive impact on accountability. However, accuracy and compliance show a weaker and less consistent influence. Governance was found to play an important role by strengthening the overall relationship between audit quality and accountability. Overall, the study suggests that strong audit practices are essential for improving accountability, but their effectiveness largely depends on the strength of governance systems in place. These findings are useful for policymakers, audit bodies, and public sector managers working to improve accountability within Nigerian institutions.