Effectiveness of Internal Audit in Fraud Prevention in Nigerian Commercial Banks
Accounting — 2025, Undergraduate
This study assessed the effectiveness of internal audit in fraud prevention in Nigerian commercial banks. A descriptive survey design was adopted with questionnaires administered to internal auditors, risk officers, and compliance staff in selected banks. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The findings revealed that regular audits, strong internal control reviews, and whistle-blowing mechanisms significantly contributed to fraud detection and prevention. However, management override, inadequate audit independence, and limited technical capacity reduced effectiveness in some institutions. The study recommends strengthened audit independence, continuous training, and adoption of data analytics in internal auditing.