The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has identified 908 fraudulent entries within federal payroll systems. This corruption scheme resulted in the loss of hundreds of millions of naira in government funds.
ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu confirmed the recovery of approximately N942 million that had been disbursed as salaries to these non-existent workers. The inquiry began in 2024 after investigators noticed inconsistencies in pension distribution.
According to the commission, officials frequently exploited the system by adding family members and associates to the government payroll. One specific case involved a suspect who registered his wife, son, and mother-in-law, in addition to claiming the salaries of 12 other individuals.
The investigation spanned 50 agencies, revealing that the Nigeria Police Force had the highest count with 570 ghost workers. Other notable instances included 80 at the National Water Resources Authority, 56 at the Federal Ministry of Works, 24 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and 19 at the Ministry of Defence. The Ministries of Power and Industry, Trade and Investment each reported 17, while the Ministry of Health and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation recorded 15 and 12, respectively.
Additional agencies, such as the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Interior, remain under investigation to determine the total number of fraudulent employees linked to them.
