Japa Exodus Triggers FG’s Crackdown on Ghost Workers in Civil Service Payroll

In a renewed effort to sanitise Nigeria’s federal payroll system, the Federal Government has launched a comprehensive personnel audit aimed at flushing out ghost workers—particularly those civil servants who have relocated abroad under the popular Japa trend but continue to receive government salaries.

The initiative is being spearheaded by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) and follows increasing reports of payroll abuse amid the wave of emigration that has significantly impacted Nigeria’s workforce.

The crackdown was confirmed through an internal memo signed by the Director of Administration at the OAGF, Dauda Abdulhamid, which has since been circulated to all Directors of Finance, Audit, and Federal Pay Offices across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Bureaucratic Breakdown as ‘B’ Focuses on Ghost Worker Purge

The keyword “B” in this development captures the bureaucratic breakdown Nigeria’s civil service is grappling with. With many government workers reportedly leaving the country under the Japa movement—yet still drawing salaries—the audit seeks to bring transparency and accountability to the bloated payroll.

The memo stated, “Following the Service-wide Nominal Roll Update for officers under the pool of the OAGF and in line with the Accountant-General’s commitment to establishing a standardised and reliable personnel record, the AGF has approved the conduct of a Personnel Audit Exercise across the Headquarters, Federal Pay Offices, and all MDAs under the pool of the OAGF.”

To facilitate the process, affected MDAs are required to complete an attached Excel-based personnel template and scan an authentication sheet. These documents must be submitted via email to the Office of the Director of Administration no later than May 2, 2025.

Officials were warned that any delay or failure to submit the necessary documentation would result in defaulting staff being flagged as ghost workers—thereby risking removal from the payroll.

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Japa Fraud Prompts Presidential Action

This latest audit is not the first move by the government to address payroll fraud. In 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered a federal civil service audit after it was revealed that numerous civil servants who had joined the Japa wave—emigrating in pursuit of better opportunities—continued to benefit from taxpayer-funded salaries without rendering services.

President Tinubu also mandated that any such individual found guilty must refund all illegally received payments. Furthermore, department heads and supervisors complicit in facilitating or ignoring these irregularities were to face disciplinary measures under federal service rules.

The government’s stance on the issue reflects the mounting frustration with systemic inefficiencies, especially as the nation grapples with an economic downturn and a rising need for fiscal discipline.

A Step Toward Payroll Integrity

While Nigeria has long struggled with the issue of ghost workers—nonexistent employees inserted into government payrolls for fraudulent gains—the intersection of this challenge with the Japa wave has made it more complex. With thousands of skilled professionals leaving the country, and some doing so without formally resigning, the civil service has become vulnerable to exploitation.

The personnel audit is expected to establish a standardised, verifiable nominal roll that reflects only legitimate, physically present employees. Experts argue that such measures are critical to restoring public confidence in government institutions and ensuring that public funds are used effectively.

Meanwhile, civil servants across MDAs are on high alert as the May 2 deadline looms. Desk officers have been tasked with ensuring full compliance with the audit template submission. Those found to have facilitated fraudulent listings—or failed to act—may soon find themselves under investigation.

Beyond the Audit: A Call for Structural Reforms

While the audit is a step in the right direction, public analysts suggest that the government must go beyond this temporary measure. There is a need for a fully digitised HR and payroll management system, integrated with the National Identity Management framework, to ensure real-time verification and eliminate ghost workers permanently.

Furthermore, addressing the root causes of the Japa phenomenon—such as unemployment, insecurity, and inadequate compensation—could prevent the civil service from losing talent to foreign nations and curb the motivation for fraudulent practices.

As Nigeria moves toward the May 2 deadline, all eyes remain on the effectiveness of this audit and whether it will mark a turning point in the battle against payroll fraud.