ICPC Uncovers 908 Ghost Workers in Nigerian MDAs

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) revealed the identification of 908 suspected ghost workers across approximately 50 federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Nigeria. This discovery underscores the persistent issue of payroll fraud in the public service, with the ICPC recovering about ₦942 million in fraudulent salary payments, which a court has ordered to be forfeited to the federal government.

Ghost workers are fictitious names added to government payrolls to misappropriate public funds. Notably, the Nigeria Police Force recorded the highest number of suspected ghost workers, with around 570 questionable names.

Other agencies affected include the National Water Resources Authority (80), Federal Ministry of Works (56), and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (24). The involvement of key institutions like the police and the Office of the Accountant-General raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of internal controls and oversight within the federal bureaucracy, highlighting systemic issues of accountability and corruption.