Bola Oyetunji has been appointed as the Auditor- General of the New South Wales State in Australia, replacing Margaret Crawford who had spent her eight-year term.
Oyetunji is no stranger to the NSW Audit Office, having been a director for 16 years until 2018.
”Since then, he has been at the Australian National Audit Office – first as senior executive director and more recently as group executive director of the Financial Statements Audit Service Group”.
Oyetunji was appointed following a merit-based recruitment process. Before joining the public service, he worked at Ernst & Young and Deloitte.
His executive leadership experience includes strategy development, governance, data analytics, finance, accounting and auditing in federal, state and local governments.
“I welcome the appointment of Mr Oyetunji as the next auditor-general of this state,” NSW premier Chris Minns said. “His extensive experience across all levels of government will be valued highly in this important role.
“Under Mr Oyetunji, the Audit Office will continue to ensure public money is used to achieve the best outcomes for NSW.”
Minns and treasurer Daniel Mookhey thanked Crawford for her service.
Mookhey said Crawford has worked “tirelessly to help the parliament of NSW hold governments accountable for their use of public resources”.
After Crawford received her Public Service Medal in 2023, she told The Mandarin that she found criticising public servants “quite challenging”.
“But when it comes to matters of integrity, the audit function is part of the wonderful system of government that we have here in this country that does provide a balance,” Crawford said.
“When I call out, which I’ve had to do – weaknesses in the system – I do it because I think that it’s in everyone’s interest to make sure that we continue to have a system that is of high standing and integrity and that the community can trust in,” she said.
Oyetunji said being appointed NSW auditor-general “is a great honour”.
“I’m committed to the integrity and independence required of the role in holding government and state agencies accountable for how they govern and use resources under their management,” he said. “I look forward to serving the NSW parliament in this capacity.”
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), on behaif of the Federal Government of Nigeria has praised Mr Bola Oyetunji’s appointment as the Auditor-General of New South Wales, Australia. She described it as well-deserved and commendable, highlighting Oyetunji’s achievement as a source of pride for Nigerians abroad.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasised the significance of Oyetunji’s appointment in showcasing the resilience and competence of Nigerians living abroad. She advised him to use his new position to inspire younger generations, particularly Nigerians, by demonstrating that success is attainable through honesty, integrity, passion, and hard work. Additionally, she urged Oyetunji to represent Nigeria positively in his new role.
