Onyenum Udoh on Technology in Internal Audits: The Silent Revolution Transforming Oversight and Governance
By Ugo Aliogo
Onyenum Udoh, a seasoned Auditor and Researcher with over five years of hands-on experience, is a resilient professional who brings her A-game to organizations. As one who specializes in emerging technologies in internal audit and governance, her dedication and efforts in bringing a new perspective across organizations continue to redefine and transform audit practices through innovation and digital solutions across the country.
“Technology is not just a trend anymore;” says Udoh, expressing passion and concern. “It’s fast becoming the backbone of how organizations manage internal audits, risk, and governance. Across industries, businesses today face bigger risks, tighter regulations, and overwhelming volumes of data that traditional audit methods simply can’t keep up with.”
As an auditor and researcher working in the field, Udoh has experienced firsthand how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), and blockchain are transforming the internal audit landscape.
These tools, according to her, are shifting audits from routine checks into strategic functions that drive efficiency, transparency, and trust across industries, from finance and healthcare to manufacturing, retail, and beyond.
She emphasized, “Take RPA, for example. Tasks like extracting data, validating transactions, and reconciling records used to take auditors days or even weeks to complete manually. Now, software handles these jobs in a fraction of the time, with fewer mistakes.
“One financial institution I studied cut its audit cycle in half and achieved full transaction coverage simply by using RPA. It’s remarkable how technology can save time, reduce errors, and free up auditors to focus on higher-value analysis.”
But the impact goes far beyond speed. Continued the auditor and researcher, who noted that advanced analytics and AI empower auditors to examine entire datasets instead of relying on small samples. “This lets us uncover hidden trends, spot anomalies, and detect fraud that might otherwise stay buried. For instance, in the retail sector, AI tools have flagged unusual refund patterns, revealed collusion schemes, and saved millions in potential losses,” she added.
Why Technology Must Be Taken Seriously
Today, internal audit is about much more than ticking boxes for compliance; it’s a critical function for managing risk, preventing fraud, and ensuring good governance. Without embracing technological innovation, professionals like Udoh caution that organizations risk falling behind, missing important signals, and failing to meet stakeholder and regulatory expectations.
Yet the shift isn’t without its hurdles. “Implementing systems like AI, blockchain, or cloud-based platforms requires investment, planning, and new skills. There’s also the human side: some auditors worry that automation could replace their jobs, while others feel unprepared to use new tools effectively.
“From my work across the healthcare and financial industries, I believe the key is collaboration and preparation. Pilot projects help demonstrate quick wins and build confidence. Continuous professional development and closer partnerships between audit teams and technology experts are crucial.”
I’ve seen how transformative this approach can be. One of the healthcare organizations I have worked with integrated its audit processes with an Enterprise Risk Management system, reducing compliance incidents by 25% while improving patient care. This is a clear example of technology and strategy working hand in hand.
Building the Future of Audit and Governance
The auditor lends a voice to other professionals. “Whether in banking, healthcare, manufacturing, or the public sector, leaders and auditors must work together to modernize audit practices for the realities of today’s digital world.
“Investing in tools like real-time dashboards, predictive analytics, and blockchain isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about building trust and ensuring organizations stay resilient and competitive.”
From her research and professional experience, Udoh is convinced that the question is no longer whether “We should adopt these technologies, but how quickly and effectively we can put them into action before outdated methods leave us exposed to risks we can’t afford”.
For this outstanding professional, the time to act is now. According to her, this is because the future of governance, accountability, and stakeholder trust depends on it.
