By Suad Ayinla
Edited by Bababunmi Agbebi
The Federal Government has introduced stricter payroll verification measures to prevent unverified enrolments into the public service salary system, as part of efforts to tackle the persistent problem of ghost workers and protect public funds.
The move has renewed attention on how government finances are managed, particularly the salaries and allowances paid to employees across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
Ghost workers remain a major concern in Nigeria’s public sector. They are individuals whose names appear on government payrolls despite not being genuine employees or no longer being entitled to receive salaries. Such fraudulent records can be used to divert public funds and deprive the country of resources needed for development.
Under the new directive issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), ministries and agencies must submit formal applications before newly recruited employees can be added to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
The applications must contain relevant recruitment approvals, appointment letters, applicable waivers and other supporting documents. Authorities will also verify salary structures, grade levels, allowances, pension details, National Housing Fund registration and tax records before approving new payroll entries.
The verification process involves several levels of scrutiny. After the initial assessment by the OAGF, applications must be confirmed by the relevant agency’s Accounting Officer, Director of Human Resources, Director of Finance and Accounts, and designated Payroll Validating Officer. Final approval rests with the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The government has also warned that applications with incomplete documents or unresolved discrepancies will not be processed until the necessary requirements are met. Officials involved in payroll administration may also face accountability measures for failing to comply with the established procedures.
The development comes amid broader efforts to address payroll fraud and weaknesses in public financial management. In August 2026, President Bola Tinubu approved a comprehensive forensic audit of IPPIS and federal government agencies following concerns raised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over ghost workers, fake agencies and other financial control failures.
However, questions remain about whether stricter enrolment procedures will be enough to eliminate ghost workers from Nigeria’s public service. While verifying newly recruited employees is important, the government must also ensure that existing payroll records are regularly audited and that anyone found responsible for payroll fraud is held accountable.
For many Nigerians, the real success of the exercise will not simply be the introduction of stricter rules but the amount of public money saved and how effectively those funds are redirected towards essential services such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and workers’ welfare.
Ultimately, tackling ghost workers requires more than paperwork and verification exercises. It demands consistent monitoring, transparency and the willingness to hold those responsible for exploiting weaknesses in the system accountable.
