…pledges stronger parliamentary oversight across Africa
By Gloria Ikibah 
Nigeria has secured its first-ever elective position in the leadership of the African Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (AFROPAC), with the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Rep. Bamidele Salam, emerging Secretary-General of the continental body.
Salam was unanimously elected on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at AFROPAC’s 6th Annual General Meeting and Conference in Accra, Ghana, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s parliamentary diplomacy and efforts to promote accountability in public financial management.
The lawmaker, who represents Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State, becomes the first Nigerian to occupy an elective leadership position in AFROPAC since its establishment in 2013.
His emergence followed the endorsement of delegates from across Africa, securing Nigeria a place on the organisation’s Executive Committee.
Speaking after his election, Salam expressed appreciation to his colleagues across the continent for the confidence reposed in him and Nigeria, describing the development as recognition of the contributions of the Nigerian Public Accounts Committee to strengthening accountability and transparency in public financial management.
He also thanked the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, for the opportunity and institutional support that enabled him to chair the Public Accounts Committee.
Salam said the Speaker’s commitment to building a stronger parliamentary network and fostering collaboration had provided an enabling environment for the committee to discharge its constitutional responsibilities, strengthen legislative oversight and advance initiatives aimed at ensuring accountability in the management of public resources.
The newly elected Secretary-General also acknowledged members of the Nigerian delegation, whose commitment, engagement and networking efforts contributed to the country’s successful outing at the conference.
Those specifically commended included Rep. Jeremiah Umaru of Nasarawa State, Rep. Missau Aliyu Bappa of Bauchi State, Rep. Tunji Akinosi of Ogun State and Mr Abiodun Delupe, Clerk/Director of the Public Accounts Committee.
Accepting the new responsibility, Salam pledged to uphold and advance AFROPAC’s vision, with a commitment to making the organisation stronger, more effective and more impactful in promoting accountability and good governance across Africa.
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 lawmaker stressed that stronger cooperation among parliamentary oversight institutions was essential to ensuring that public resources were properly managed, transparently utilised and ultimately deployed for the benefit of citizens across the continent.
In a congratulatory message, the AFROPAC Secretariat in Nairobi welcomed Nigeria into the organisation’s Executive Committee, describing Salam’s emergence as Secretary-General as a significant development for the continental body.
The Secretariat expressed confidence in Salam’s experience, vision and dedication, noting that his leadership would further strengthen AFROPAC’s commitment to promoting legislative oversight and building a prosperous Africa.
The newly elected AFROPAC leadership comprises Malawi as Chairperson, Ghana as Deputy Chairperson, Nigeria as Secretary-General, Chad as Deputy Secretary-General, Eswatini as Treasurer-General and Kenya as Deputy Treasurer.
Salam’s emergence marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s engagement with continental parliamentary accountability institutions and is expected to deepen cooperation among African legislatures in the pursuit of transparency, fiscal discipline and responsible public financial management.
