For the first time in the history of the African Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (AFROPAC), since its establishment in 2013, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Rep. Bamidele Salam, has emerged as Secretary-General, securing Nigeria’s first-ever elective position in the continental body’s leadership.
Salam was unanimously elected on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the organisation’s 6th Annual General Meeting and Conference held in Accra, Ghana, in what marks a major diplomatic and parliamentary milestone for Nigeria.
The lawmaker represents Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State at the National Assembly, secured the AFROPAC Executive Committee following the endorsement of delegates from across Africa, making Nigeria’s first-ever representation in an elective leadership position of the continental organisation since its establishment.
Speaking following his election, Salam expressed profound appreciation to his colleagues across the African continent for the confidence reposed in Nigeria, describing the development as a recognition of the contributions and efforts of the Nigerian Public Accounts Committee towards strengthening accountability and transparency in public financial management.
He also expressed his deep appreciation to the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, for the opportunity and institutional support that enabled him to chair the Committee on Public Accounts and pursue its various initiatives without hindrance.
Salam noted that the confidence and support of the Speaker 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.
He further acknowledged the contributions of 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 Hon. Jeremiah Umaru of Nasarawa State, Hon. Missau Aliyu Bappa of Bauchi State, Hon. 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 the vision of AFROPAC, ensuring that the organisation becomes stronger, more effective and more impactful in promoting accountability and good governance across Africa.
He stated that 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.
He emphasised that stronger cooperation among parliamentary oversight institutions remains essential to ensuring that public resources are properly managed, transparently utilised and ultimately deployed for the benefit of citizens across the continent.
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 presents an opportunity to deepen cooperation among African legislatures in the pursuit of transparency, fiscal discipline and responsible public financial management.
