The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has addressed the ongoing issue of ghost workers within Nigeria’s civil service.

During a press conference on Monday, marking her first 100 days in office, Walson-Jack referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive at the 2024 Civil Service Award and Gala Night, ordering
that civil servants who relocated abroad while still receiving salaries from Nigeria, without formal resignation must refund the wages they collected during that time.

Walson-Jack confirmed that some workers have already returned to their positions in Nigeria, while others resigned voluntarily.

She assured that efforts to identify these workers and address the issue would continue.

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“Regarding the civil servants who relocated abroad, verification was conducted. One returned to continue their duties, while others resigned.

“The process is ongoing as we use the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPIS) to monitor who is working and who is not. We are committed to maintaining this momentum to ensure that no one continues to receive a salary without fulfilling their duties,” she hinted.

On the matter of salary harmonization for workers, the HCSF acknowledged that it has been a longstanding issue.

She confirmed that the National Wages, Income, and Salary Commission is actively working on it, along with a Presidential Committee on Salary.

“As a member of the committee, I can assure you that they are working diligently to resolve all salary-related matters.

“It’s also worth noting that before the approval of the minimum wage, there was a wage award, which greatly benefited the salaries of civil servants,” she said.