The treasury single account and fiscal transparency and accountability in federal universities of Nigeria

Abstract

Despite full enforcement of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) regime in 2015 to centralise public funds, enhance fiscal transparency, improve financial accountability, and curb corruption, financial irregularities persist across federal universities. Focusing on the Niger Delta region, the research highlights unique geopolitical constraints affecting policy outcomes. Grounded in Agency Theory, this study examined the effectiveness of the TSA policy in enhancing fiscal transparency, improving financial accountability, and curbing corruption in Nigerian federal universities, specifically UNIPORT, UNICAL, and UNIBEN. The study relied on mixed methods combining quantitative survey data (n = 158) analyzed via Chi-square tests with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews and interpretation of secondary data from World Bank and Transparency International. Findings showed that while TSA has significantly enhanced fiscal transparency and accountability (p = 0.004), its implementation is marred by bureaucratic rigidity, operational delays, and circumvention strategies by institutional actors. Consequently, corrupt practices have not been fully abated due to reconfiguration into less traceable forms such as procurement fraud, contract inflation, and off-book cash payments. Despite savings exceeding ₦10 trillion nationally, Corruption Perception Index scores remain low, indicating systemic challenges beyond cash management. The study concluded that although the TSA regime has closed certain financial leakages, it is insufficient as a standalone measure. It recommends a holistic reform that integrates TSA with complementary anti-corruption strategies, including strengthened monitoring mechanisms, improved digital infrastructure, continuous staff training, and limited financial autonomy for universities. External oversight by agencies like EFCC and ICPC is also advocated to ensure comprehensive fiscal integrity within the higher education sector.