Zamfara State, Nigeria – The Zamfara State government has identified 2,363 ghost workers and 220 minors on its payroll, following a recent civil service audit. This verification was part of a broader effort to reform the state’s finances and workforce.
Sulaiman Idris, spokesperson for Governor Dauda Lawal, stated the audit was necessary to implement a new N70,000 minimum wage. It aims to improve the efficiency of the state’s civil service.
A committee, formed by Governor Lawal in August, conducted the review. The committee’s report identified 27,109 permanent workers. It also found 1,082 civil servants ready for retirement, 395 contract staff, and 261 people not listed on official records. Seventy-five workers had first appointment dates that did not match the official issue date, and all were found to have been minors at the time of hiring.
The 2,363 ghost workers received a total of N193,642,097.19 (approximately $130,000 USD, using a conservative exchange rate for context) monthly. The committee recommended suspending 207 workers who were not cleared during the process.
The state government is expected to take further action to recover the funds and prevent future payroll fraud. The presence of ghost workers significantly impacts the state’s budget. The audit represents a step towards financial accountability.
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