FG tightens payroll controls, blocks recruitments without verified records

The Federal Government has tightened controls over its payroll system, making the enrolment of newly recruited workers conditional on rigorous verification of recruitment approvals, personnel records and financial entitlements. This is in a move to strengthen accountability and curb payroll irregularities.

Under the new directive, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has made it mandatory for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to capture newly recruited employees on their respective nominal rolls and complete prescribed validation procedures before they can be admitted into the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

The measure placed greater responsibility on MDAs, as budget owners, to account for their personnel budgets and authenticate the employment records of workers whose salaries are charged to public funds.

The new requirements could strengthen the Federal Government’s safeguards against unauthorised payroll entries, inaccurate personnel records and questionable salary claims, although the directive does not quantify potential savings or identify specific payroll irregularities the exercise is intended to address.

Under the revised procedure, MDAs must formally apply to the OAGF for payroll admission, submitting recruitment approvals, appointment letters, applicable waivers and other supporting documents for scrutiny.

The OAGF will verify employees’ records, salary structures, grade levels, steps, allowances and other financial entitlements before their applications can proceed to the next stage.

The checks will also cover statutory information, including Pension Fund Administrator details, pension identification numbers, National Housing Fund registration and tax records, to ensure accurate deductions and timely remittance of statutory contributions.

Following the initial screening, the records will be returned to the relevant MDAs for confirmation and endorsement by the Accounting Officer, Director of Human Resources, Director of Finance and Accounts, and designated Payroll Validating Officer.

A statement from the OAGF said final admission into the federal payroll will be granted only after the prescribed checks have been completed satisfactorily and the Accountant-General of the Federation has approved the application.

In a further push for accountability, the OAGF has directed Permanent Secretaries, heads of agencies and other relevant officials to ensure strict compliance with the new procedures.

“Applications with incomplete documentation or unresolved discrepancies will be withheld from payroll admission until all requirements have been met”, the statement said, adding that officials responsible for processing and approving payroll entries will also be held accountable for breaches of the applicable rules and regulations.

The directive takes immediate effect and covers all ongoing and subsequent applications for the enrolment of newly recruited Federal Government employees.