AS NIGERIA strives to build a stronger and more resilient health system, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has called for greater investment in technology-driven accountability, warning that poor financial oversight can undermine healthcare delivery and cost lives.
Director of Internal Audit and Compliance at IHVN, Dr. Johnson Obilikwu, told National Record that every naira lost to inefficiency, fraud, or weak financial management is a lost opportunity to improve health outcomes, strengthen communities, and advance national development.
“Accountability is not just a financial responsibility—it is a public health responsibility,” he said. “When resources are managed with integrity, health programmes can reach the people who need them most.”
According to Obilikwu, traditional audit systems are no longer sufficient to manage today’s increasingly complex health programmes. He said health institutions should adopt technology-enabled systems that detect risks early, strengthen transparency, and support evidence-based decision-making.
He identified data analytics, automated compliance monitoring, enterprise resource planning systems, electronic documentation, predictive analytics, and risk-based auditing tools as innovations that can help organizations identify irregularities faster, monitor compliance in real time, and prevent financial losses before they occur.
“Predictive analytics enables organizations to identify emerging risks before they become major problems,” he said.
However, Obilikwu stressed that technology alone cannot guarantee accountability.
“Successful organizations combine innovative tools with strong governance structures, skilled personnel, ethical leadership, and a culture of transparency and accountability,” he said.
He urged government agencies, development partners, and implementing organizations to strengthen oversight and safeguard health resources, noting that sound financial stewardship ultimately translates into better healthcare services for Nigerians.
“At IHVN, we believe that accountability builds trust, trust attracts investment, and investment strengthens health systems,” he said.
Obilikwu added that as Nigeria pursues universal health coverage and stronger health security, investments in technology-enabled accountability should receive the same priority as investments in medicines, laboratories, and healthcare infrastructure.
