Despite the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has identified 22,074 potentially suspicious employees on the Federal Government’s payroll. The ICPC also revealed that these suspicious workers were paid a total of ₦37,103,337,614.40 last year.
These employees were found across Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), tertiary institutions, and notably within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), which was found to be particularly problematic. Within the MDAs alone, 12,714 individuals were listed on the payroll but not on the service-wide nominal roll from January to December of last year, amounting to a total of ₦34,808,740,634.37.
The ICPC’s review uncovered approximately 4,190 former police officers listed on the IPPIS payroll. The commission’s report, part of a broader anti-corruption review under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, highlighted evidence of tampering, manipulation, and padding of the IPPIS with ghost workers or suspicious personnel.
Investigations revealed numerous instances of fraud within the IPPIS, including double salary payments, fictitious names used to divert funds, and ghost workers. For example, 95 employees had discrepancies between their names on the payroll and those verified through banking applications. Additionally, 24 workers from various MDAs were reportedly receiving double salaries.
In the Ministry of Works alone, 212 officers were found on the IPPIS payroll with a monthly salary total of ₦31,986,324.40, despite not appearing on either the ministry’s nominal roll or the service-wide nominal roll.
The ICPC reported a significant disparity of 12,174 personnel between the nominal roll and the payroll, with a financial impact of ₦34,808,740,634.37 for the period under review.
The fraud was particularly severe within the NPF, where an analysis of the December 2023 payroll revealed 37,160 staff listed as ex-employees, with 4,190 of them still receiving salaries amounting to ₦980,273,690.51.
Further scrutiny showed inconsistencies in 962 staff records and issues with account numbers, with 40 staff members having multiple IPPIS numbers linked to a single account, and 21 of them receiving double salaries.
The findings also included an account linked to two officers under the name of a company, Don Aks Ikoro Global.
The IPPIS was established in 2006 to improve the management of personnel records and payroll administration.
According to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), its objectives include automating personnel records, monitoring staff payments against the budget, and preventing wastage and leakages by ensuring accurate information for staff remuneration.
, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has identified 22,074 potentially suspicious employees on the Federal Government's payroll.){kind=link}