The Zamfara State Government has uncovered massive payroll fraud in the state’s civil service, saving over ₦200 million monthly in a sweeping verification exercise.
The initiative, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, aims to protect workers’ rights, ensure fair salary payments, and pave the way for the implementation of the new ₦70,000 minimum wage.
The verification, conducted in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and other workers’ unions, revealed significant irregularities that have cost the state millions in fraudulent salary payments.
In a statement, the Commissioner of Information and Culture , Mahmud Mohammad Dantawasa, said the exercise verified and cleared 28,273 workers, comprising, 27,109 permanent employees, 67 on secondment, 213 on study leave, 395 contract staff, and 261individuals not on the nominal roll.
2,821 workers, according to him, failed verification due to various discrepancies, including, 2,363 ghost workers who are illegally collecting N193.6 million monthly, among others.
With the elimination of fraudulent salaries, the state government, as announced by the Commissioner, will now save over N200 million cash each month.
“These funds, as made known by him, will be redirected to benefit genuine workers and ensure the smooth rollout of the new minimum wage from March 2025.
Governor Lawal, he said has reassured Zamfara’s workforce that the exercise is not a punitive measure but a necessary reform to safeguard their rights and salaries.
“The people of Zamfara should not fall for misinformation. This initiative is to ensure fairness and justice for all,” the governor stated.