The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered 908 suspected ghost workers across 50 federal government agencies, recovering ₦942 million in fraudulent salary payments as part of an ongoing payroll integrity investigation.
According to the anti-corruption agency, the discovery followed an extensive review of federal payroll records initiated in 2024 after irregularities were detected during the verification of pension and personnel data.
The ICPC said the investigation revealed that salaries had continued to be paid to individuals who were either non-existent, no longer in service or otherwise ineligible to receive government remuneration.
Among the agencies identified, the Nigeria Police Force recorded the highest number of suspected ghost workers, with 570 cases. It was followed by the National Water Resources Institute, which had 80 cases, while the Federal Ministry of Works accounted for 56 cases. Other affected ministries, departments and agencies were also found to have varying numbers of questionable payroll entries.
The Commission disclosed that ₦942 million in improperly paid salaries had been recovered, describing the exercise as part of broader efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.
ICPC officials said investigations are continuing to determine how the fraudulent payments were processed and to identify public officers or other individuals who may have facilitated the scheme.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring that those found culpable are held accountable in accordance with the law, adding that additional audits and verification exercises would be carried out across the federal public service.
The latest findings have renewed concerns about persistent payroll fraud within government institutions despite the introduction of digital reforms such as the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which was designed to eliminate ghost workers and improve payroll management.
Public finance experts note that while IPPIS has significantly reduced payroll leakages in many government agencies, weaknesses in data management, personnel verification and institutional oversight continue to create opportunities for fraudulent practices.
Anti-corruption advocates have welcomed the recovery of public funds but argue that asset recovery alone is insufficient. They have called for comprehensive criminal investigations, prosecution of those responsible and stronger internal controls to prevent similar abuses.
Labour and governance experts have also urged the Federal Government to conduct regular biometric verification of public servants, improve inter-agency data sharing and strengthen payroll auditing systems to safeguard public finances.
The recovery comes at a time when Nigeria is pursuing fiscal reforms aimed at improving revenue generation, reducing wasteful expenditure and enhancing efficiency in public administration. Analysts argue that eliminating ghost workers could free up substantial resources for investment in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and security.
Civil society organisations have encouraged the government to publish the outcomes of the investigation and ensure that disciplinary and legal actions are pursued transparently to reinforce public confidence in anti-corruption efforts.
Observers say the ICPC’s latest operation underscores the continuing challenge of payroll fraud within the public sector and highlights the need for sustained reforms to strengthen accountability in government institutions.
As investigations continue, stakeholders expect further recoveries and possible prosecutions, viewing the exercise as an important step toward promoting integrity, restoring confidence in public administration and ensuring that taxpayers’ funds are used for their intended purposes.
