The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, has announced ongoing investigations to identify and address cases of civil servants who have relocated abroad but continue to receive government salaries.
Speaking at an event in Abuja marking her 100 days in office, Walson-Jack expressed the administration’s determination to stamp out fraudulent practices within the civil service and promote transparency. She stated that measures have been put in place to detect and act against such irregularities.
According to Walson-Jack, the investigation is leveraging the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), a tool designed to improve the integrity of payroll management by identifying discrepancies in the civil service database.
The investigations come five months after President Bola Tinubu directed civil service authorities to take action against officials who violate service rules by relocating abroad while still drawing salaries from Nigeria's coffers. Tinubu had also instructed that guilty individuals must refund the misappropriated funds, and supervisors or department heads who failed to act against such practices would be held accountable.
Walson-Jack emphasized that the government is committed to enforcing these measures as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the civil service and ensure that public resources are directed toward individuals actively serving within the country. She also noted the progress made in addressing the issue, with some affected individuals voluntarily returning to Nigeria or opting for honorable retirement.
In her words, “You are asking about civil servants who may have ‘Japa.’ We know that the issue was raised, and some verifications were carried out. Since then, some returned quickly, while others retired honorably.”
She continued, “Right now, we are continuing the process, scrutinizing the IPPIS payroll to identify those who are still in the country and those who are not. This will be an ongoing process to ensure that people cannot receive salaries while living abroad.”
The Head of Service highlighted the importance of maintaining the integrity of the civil service, noting that such fraudulent practices undermine public trust and the government’s efforts to promote accountability. She reiterated the need for vigilance and ongoing monitoring to ensure that the situation is completely resolved.
“Some progress has been made,” she added, “and we will continue to monitor the situation until it is fully addressed.”
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions, with many Nigerians commending the government’s efforts to tackle corruption in the civil service. However, some have called for greater transparency and a more comprehensive approach to addressing the systemic issues that allow such practices to persist.
