Zamfara State Government Uncovers 2,363 Ghost Workers, 220 Minors Illegally on Payroll, and Flags Multiple Irregularities in Major Verification Exercise, Saving Over N200 Million Monthly
Gusau, Zamfara State – A payroll verification exercise ordered by Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has revealed 2,363 ghost workers and 220 minors illegally receiving government salaries. The audit, conducted by a committee led by the Head of Service, also uncovered significant financial irregularities, including over N200 million in fraudulent monthly payments.
The verification, initiated to sanitize the state’s payroll system ahead of the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage, exposed a range of issues. Beyond the ghost workers, the audit found 1,082 workers due for retirement still drawing salaries, 67 workers on secondment also receiving payments, and numerous discrepancies in employee records.
Hundreds of contract staff, unregistered workers, and employees on study leave are now under investigation. Furthermore, 75 employees were identified as minors with falsified appointment dates.
The governor’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, stated that the exercise is ongoing and aims to improve governance, reduce corruption, and ensure efficient resource management.
The removal of the ghost workers alone will save the state government over N193.6 million monthly. The total savings from the payroll cleanup, including other identified irregularities, is estimated to exceed N200 million monthly. The cleared payroll now includes 27,109 permanent workers. 207 workers were not cleared and have been suspended.
The verification committee comprised key state officials, including the commissioner of finance, the chairman of the Zamfara State Labour Union, the Accountant General, the Auditor General, the Statistician General, and the Executive Secretary of ZITDA. Their mandate included verifying and integrating nominal and payroll systems and creating electronic employee files for increased transparency. The government emphasized that these efforts are crucial as the new minimum wage implementation begins in March.
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