Daud Olatunji
A 36-year-old Nigerian national residing in the United Kingdom, Sabitu Adams has confessed to receiving a salary as a Nigerian civil servant despite living abroad and working as a taxi driver.
Adams, who has lived in the UK for the past two years, disclosed that he continues to receive a monthly salary of N150,000 (approximately $100 or £80) from the Nigerian government.
Adams revealed this in an interview with the BBC, stating that losing this salary would have minimal financial impact on him since his earnings from his taxi job in the UK are sufficient.
He explained his decision not to resign from his civil servant position, saying he wanted to keep his options open for a potential future return to Nigeria.
Adams dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s directives, issued after the president expressed surprise at the revelations that civil servants working abroad continue to receive salaries without formally resigning.
Auwal Yakasai, a retired finance director with Kano State’s information ministry, acknowledged hearing about similar cases but pointed out the difficulties in apprehending offenders due to inadequate monitoring mechanisms.
In response to these challenges, Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), announced at an event in Abuja marking the 2024 Civil Service Week that the federal government had identified 1,618 ghost workers through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
Yemi-Esan explained that out of 69,308 civil servants who underwent mandatory verification, they have successfully integrated into the IPPIS. She emphasized the government’s vigorous efforts to eliminate employees who have relocated abroad yet continue to draw salaries from the civil service.
“There are active measures to address Nigerians who have moved abroad and taken up new jobs while still on our payroll,” she stated. “The federal government is taking stringent actions, leading many to voluntarily resign after physical verifications.”
Yemi-Esan highlighted the challenges of cultural acceptance within Nigeria that perpetuate such practices but stressed the government’s commitment to rectifying these issues despite external challenges.
“I anticipate that upon receipt of the verification report, any employee not present in the country will automatically lose their job,” she asserted.
“In the last phase of verification, we observed a significant number resigning voluntarily, which is a positive development.”
She mentioned a recent circular issued to all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) mandating a physical headcount of all employees on the nominal roll. Non-attendance during this exercise would be grounds for identification and reporting.
Yemi-Esan also cautioned permanent secretaries and CEOs about the consequences of providing inaccurate information, underscoring that 8,905 civil servants underwent mandatory assessment-based training to enhance their professional capabilities.
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