Addressing ghost workers as path to economic resurgence

Sir: I read in the news that President Bola Tinubu has called for a thorough review of the civil service payroll and a comprehensive forensic audit of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In a statement said to have been signed by Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the president was quoted to have told the President of the World Bank, Mr. Ajay Banga, that, “A comprehensive forensic audit is ongoing at the Central Bank. We are going to do very serious structural review of the civil service payroll. I can’t believe the numbers I’m seeing….”

This move is aimed at curbing fiscal leakages. These steps, intrinsic to Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business initiative, are expected to instigate a transformative shift in work culture, attitudes, and education. At the meeting with the World Bank, the president reiterated the importance of such reforms. However, a mere review of the payroll without implementing a robust system to combat the issue would be an unproductive endeavour.

The persistent problem of “ghost workers” presents a significant challenge for both federal and state civil services in Nigeria. For perspective, a ‘ghost worker’ is an individual who, while officially listed on the payroll, does not contribute any tangible value to the organisation supposedly employing him. Every year, the government administers numerous biometric verifications aiming to eradicate the ghost worker phenomenon across all levels. Despite this, many ghost workers manage to evade these checks, leading to substantial financial losses for the government.

In the past, solutions deployed by the Nigerian government to tackle the ghost worker issue have largely addressed the symptoms rather than the root cause. This fraud has far-reaching implications; it not only impedes productivity but also corrodes the core foundation of institutions, both private and public, thereby stifling the growth of our beloved nation, Nigeria.

To counter this issue effectively, the federal and state governments need to adopt a verification system tied to daily time attendance, ensuring the physical presence of workers. Such a system could provide an efficient tool to put an end to the ghost worker predicament. The Federal Government and the 36 states of Nigeria could adopt this proven solution to eliminate this menace.

This system has proven successful in Gombe State, which, in an attempt to bolster developmental programmes, implemented measures to eliminate financial wastage. The state recognised the unique challenge posed by a reduction in federal allocation due to COVID-19 and an increased personnel cost from the new minimum wage.

Consequently, Gombe State embarked on biometric screening, removing 1,099 absent workers via the Integrated Payroll Payment (IPP) Gateway and Human Resource Information Management System (G-SIPHMIS).

Mr. Muhammad Magaji, the finance commissioner, has highlighted the tremendous savings achieved by suspending staff with insufficient attendance at several health facilities, totalling over N50 million and involving 882 employees.

Gombe State’s success story, realised through a partnership with Human Capital Managers Ltd and ZKTECO West Africa, calls for an investment of N1.49 billion to combat this substantial issue. If Gombe can achieve this, the Federal Government and the other 36 states of Nigeria can replicate this success.

In the end, the eradication of the ‘ghost worker’ phenomenon is an important step towards a more productive Nigeria. By investing in systems that ensure accountability and efficiency in the workforce, we can lay a robust foundation for sustainable growth, thereby realising the vast potential of our great nation. This collective commitment and action will undoubtedly lead to a more prosperous and thriving Nigeria, where every worker counts and contributes to the country’s success.

Afolabi Abiodun is a multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur who pioneered the business of corporate telecoms brokerage in Nigeria.