The Role of Forensic Accounting in Fraud Control in the Nigerian Public Sector: Risk Assessment Practices.

Fraud remains a pervasive issue within the Nigerian public sector, undermining governance,
service delivery, and public trust. Traditional audit mechanisms have proven insufficient in
identifying and mitigating sophisticated fraudulent schemes. This study investigates the role of
forensic accounting in fraud control, focusing specifically on risk assessment as a critical tool.
The aim was to determine the extent to which risk assessment influences fraud control within
the Nigerian public sector. Using a quantitative research design, data was collected through
structured questionnaires distributed to accounting and audit professionals in various
government ministries and agencies. The hypothesis that risk assessment has no significant
effect on fraud control was statistically tested and subsequently rejected, confirming the
alternative hypothesis that risk assessment significantly contributes to fraud mitigation.
Findings revealed that effective risk assessment enables early fraud detection and fosters the
development of preventive controls. The study recommends institutionalizing forensic
accounting practices, particularly risk assessment frameworks, across public sector
institutions in Nigeria. These findings suggest that proactive forensic approaches can bridge
the existing gaps in traditional audit systems, fostering greater accountability and financial
transparency in the public sector.