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.