The Nigerian federal government has initiated a robust identity verification exercise for all civil servants, setting a firm deadline of February 17, 2025, for compliance. This measure is a crucial component of the government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate ghost workers from the payroll system and enhance transparency in public finance management. The exercise requires all federal civil servants to validate their identities on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) portal. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and ensuring that public funds are judiciously utilized. The mandatory verification is a significant step towards sanitizing the payroll system and preventing the misappropriation of public resources.
The verification process mandates civil servants to provide their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), IPPIS number, and salary account number via the dedicated online portal. The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) issued a memo outlining the procedure and emphasizing the importance of adherence to the deadline. The memo noted the previous extensions granted for the verification exercise and stressed that this final extension offers a last chance for compliance. The government’s decision to extend the deadline demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that all legitimate civil servants have ample opportunity to complete the verification process. It also signals the seriousness of the exercise and the potential consequences for non-compliance.
The OAGF’s communication highlights the critical nature of the identity verification exercise, underscoring the potential repercussions for non-compliance. Civil servants who fail to validate their information on the IPPIS portal by the stipulated deadline risk suspension from the payroll. This strong stance emphasizes the government’s resolve to enforce accountability and deter fraudulent activities within the civil service. The warning of potential payroll suspension serves as a powerful incentive for civil servants to prioritize the verification process and avoid any disruptions to their salaries.
The government’s focus on identity verification is part of a broader effort to address payroll irregularities and enhance transparency in public finance management. The OAGF has directed Accounting Officers, Directors/Heads of Finance & Account, and Internal Audit units of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to widely disseminate the information and ensure compliance within their respective organizations. This decentralized approach emphasizes the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in ensuring the success of the verification exercise. It underscores the importance of internal oversight and the role of various administrative units in promoting accountability within the civil service.
The identity verification initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directives aimed at curbing fraudulent practices within the civil service. In 2024, the President ordered the recovery of salaries paid to civil servants who had relocated abroad without proper authorization. He further directed that appropriate sanctions be applied to supervisors and department heads found complicit in such fraudulent activities. This decisive action demonstrates the government’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions and deterring similar misconduct in the future. The President’s directive establishes a precedent for addressing payroll fraud and reinforces the government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption within the public sector.
This comprehensive verification exercise is not just a procedural requirement but a strategic move to ensure the integrity of the payroll system and optimize public resource management. By eliminating ghost workers and enhancing accountability, the government aims to free up resources for essential public services and promote greater transparency in its operations. The exercise marks a significant stride towards building public trust and strengthening good governance practices within the Nigerian civil service. The government’s resolute stance on payroll integrity signals a positive shift towards a more efficient and accountable public sector.
