… From Kogi State’s Treasury to the Federal Mortgage Bank — A Profile in Accountability, Service, and Vision
By Abu Micheal.
Mallam Momoh Jibrin, former Kogi State Accountant‑General, is being celebrated not just for the positions he held, but for the integrity he institutionalised while in office.
Today, as a member of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, his stewardship continues to echo in corridors of public finance and housing development.
This attributes spotlights his journey, core values, and lasting impact in transparency, accountability and his fairness to all.
It is without mincing words that his early career and rise to Accountant‑General was a product of a humble beginning
He started his civil service career after a degree in Accounting (University of Abuja, 1995), climbing the ranks through diligence and meticulous bookkeeping.
In 2015, he was appointed as Accountant‑General of Kogi State, a role overseeing funds in state revenue, expenditures, and public assets.
Hallmarks of his tenure showed up Impact, transparency that Instituted quarterly public financial statements, open budget portals, and town‑hall audits.
Under his period, citizens could track how funds for health, education, and infrastructure were used a feat that is still witnessed in the State till date.
As a measure of accountability, he introduced a “Zero‑Tolerance for unjustified vouchers” policy, reducing ghost projects by 38 % (audit 2018). This saved the state an estimated ₦ 2.3 bn in wasteful spending.
His Fiscal Discipline enforced strict procurement processes, aligning with PPA 2007 guidelines. Leading to an Improved rating in the NEITI Transparency Index—Kogi moved from 27th to 12th nationally.
His Team Development, Launched a mentorship program for junior accountants, 45 graduates placed in senior roles. Built a pipeline of competent finance leaders still serving the State.
Some of his notable achievements include
Clean Audit Reports (2016‑2019). Received unqualified (clean) audit opinions from the Auditor‑General for three consecutive years—a rare feat for a State Government.
Debt Reduction: Cut Kogi’s internal debt ratio from 27 % to 15 % of revenue in two fiscal years.
His Innovation Pioneered an e‑payment platform for pensioners and contractors, cutting disbursement time from 45 to 7 days.
Following his hardwork and qualities of transparency, the Former Accountant General transition to the Federal Mortgage Bank (FMBN), as he was appointed Member, Board of Directors, FMBN.
With a focus on leveraging his financial rigor to expand affordable housing finance, improve loan disbursement transparency, and align the bank’s operations with National Housing Policy targets. His
Impact thus far has led to the ₦ 15 bn in mortgage financing unlocked for low‑income earners. He has also introduced a digital escrow system that reduced fraud incidents by 62 %.
According to a former Kogi State Legislator and other financial observers. They are unanimous that Mallam Momoh Jibrin, working with the Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, turned the Accountant‑General office into a beacon of honesty. “His public dashboards meant we could see where every naira went—something we never had before”.
Dr. Fatima Salihu, Financial Governance Analyst added that,
“His move to FMBN shows his belief that transparent finance is the backbone of development, whether in a state treasury or National Housing,”
With core values that define him as Integrity personified, with no compromise on truthful reporting. Service Orientation, he believes that public money is a trust for citizens and mentorship that gives back by coaching young accountants.
Mallam Momoh Jibrin’s story is a reminder that accountability isn’t a buzzword—it’s a practice. From cleaning up Kogi’s books to helping Nigerians own homes, his career charts a path where transparency translates into tangible development.
– Abu Micheal, a Journalist, writes from Lokoja.
