Efforts to eliminate ghost workers from Nigeria’s federal payroll have hit a major roadblock, as several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) continue to ignore directives from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).
Despite multiple warnings, affected MDAs have failed to submit their verified list of account officers, an essential step in filtering out non-existent staff and halting salary payments to unverified workers.
The OAGF had initially set a deadline of February 14, 2025, for MDAs to comply. After widespread non-compliance, the deadline was extended to April 16. However, a fresh memo dated July 2, 2025, signed by the Director of Administration, Dauda Abdulhamid, reveals that many MDAs are still defaulting.
“I am directed to refer to our earlier circular… and to observe that your organisation is yet to submit its staff nominal roll,” the memo read. “All affected MDAs are requested to forward their duly completed nominal roll using the attached template on or before Monday, 7th July 2025, to avoid sanctions.”
The OAGF emphasized that submissions must be in Excel format, accompanied by a scanned authentication sheet, and sent to the official email provided. Non-compliant agencies risk facing disciplinary actions.
This audit stems from President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 directive, following revelations of mass payroll fraud involving civil servants who had relocated abroad — many still drawing monthly salaries. The president had also ordered the refund of such illegally earned wages and called for punishment of department heads who enabled the fraud.
This latest delay raises serious concerns over accountability within the public sector. As the ghost worker syndrome continues to drain public funds, transparency advocates are urging the federal government to take immediate disciplinary steps against MDAs that fail to cooperate.
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