Engineers must manage projects with audits in mind —Onwuzuruigbo

By Abubakar Yunus

Quantity Surveyor and finance expert,Osondu Joshua Onwuzuruigbo, has urged engineers and other professionals in the construction industry to manage projects with audits in mind, stressing that every project should be audit-ready at all times.

He made the call while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the June 2026 General Meeting of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Abuja Branch, where he delivered a paper titled, “Audit-Proofing Projects: Meeting Auditors’ Expectations with No Findings.”

According to him, project audits should not be viewed with fear or anxiety but rather as an important mechanism for improving accountability and project performance.

Onwuzuruigbo explained that engineers and other professionals involved in project delivery must recognise that every project would eventually be subjected to scrutiny, whether by internal or external auditors.

“As engineers and other professionals within the construction industry, they undertake projects and, in many cases, lead them. One thing that should always be at the back of their minds is that, at some point, somebody will come to check the books and audit the project to determine whether it was properly executed,” he said.

The quantity surveyor noted that many project managers often focus on delivery timelines and technical outcomes while paying less attention to documentation, compliance and accountability requirements that are critical during audits.

He said the objective of his presentation was to equip engineers and related professionals with the knowledge and skills required to maintain projects in a manner that would meet auditors’ expectations without adverse findings.

According to him, adopting an audit-ready approach throughout the project lifecycle would not only reduce the risk of audit queries but also improve transparency and stakeholder confidence.

He further stated that audits should be embraced as opportunities to identify gaps, strengthen systems and enhance overall project outcomes.

“Audit should not be an anxiety for those managing projects. It should be a welcome exercise because it provides an avenue for improving project performance and ensuring accountability,” he added.

He urged professionals in the construction sector to prioritise proper record-keeping, compliance with established procedures and continuous monitoring of project activities to ensure successful project delivery and seamless audit processes.