FG Discovers 45,000 Ghost Workers Through BVN Integration

Former Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun announced that the Federal Government uncovered 45,000 ghost workers through the integration of Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) into the payroll system. Speaking at the Citadel School during a dialogue series in Lagos, Adeosun explained that this technological intervention aimed to eliminate massive payroll fraud, which has historically plagued government expenditures.

She noted that previous biometric efforts to clean the payroll had stalled due to resistance from paramilitary groups and the police. By running the federal payroll against the BVN database, the government identified these ghost workers, clarifying that the term often masks simpler system failures rather than complex criminal syndicates.

Adeosun introduced a layer of human accountability to complement technology, requiring permanent secretaries to sign off on payroll entries. The dialogue featured Pastor Tunde Bakare and Professor Mike Adebamowo, who highlighted the importance of embracing modern tools for reform.

Adeosun concluded that the discovery represents a significant victory for treasury reform, urging future administrations to uphold these changes.