KEY POINTS
BVN integration exposed 45,000 ghost workers on federal payroll
Fraud largely driven by systemic inefficiencies and multiple salary linkages
Technology-backed reforms strengthened by accountability measures
MAIN STORY
Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has revealed how the Federal Government uncovered 45,000 ghost workers through the integration of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) into the federal payroll system.
Speaking at the Citadel School of Government Dialogue Series in Lagos, Adeosun explained that the reform marked a turning point in tackling payroll fraud, which had long plagued government finances.
She noted that prior to the intervention, the federal payroll represented the largest component of government expenditure and was riddled with inefficiencies. Earlier attempts to sanitise the system using biometric verification had failed, largely due to resistance from key institutions, including paramilitary agencies such as the police and the military.
According to her, the breakthrough came when her team leveraged the existing BVN database, eliminating the need for fresh biometric enrolment.
“The payroll was our biggest cost. Previous biometric efforts had stalled because paramilitary groups refused to cooperate. We bypassed this by using BVN data,” she said.
Adeosun disclosed that the integration revealed widespread irregularities, including cases where a single BVN was linked to multiple salary payments.
“In many instances, it wasn’t a ghost worker in the traditional sense, but one individual receiving multiple salaries. Sometimes, it was simply inefficiency—people who had died or left service but remained on the payroll,” she added.
To sustain the reform, the former minister introduced stricter accountability measures, requiring Permanent Secretaries to personally sign off on their respective payrolls, thereby creating a clear chain of responsibility.
THE ISSUES
The revelations highlight long-standing structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s public financial management system, including poor data integrity, weak oversight, and resistance to reform within critical institutions.
They also underscore the scale of revenue leakages in government operations and the challenges of enforcing compliance across diverse agencies.
WHAT’S BEING SAID
Adeosun emphasised the importance of data-driven governance, urging policymakers to rely on empirical evidence in designing and defending reforms.
“If you come armed with data, you can take on anybody. Data is difficult to dispute,” she stated, advocating for greater adoption of technology, including artificial intelligence, in public administration.
The event also featured Tunde Bakare and Mike Adebamowo, who echoed the need for leadership commitment in sustaining reforms.
Bakare commended Adeosun’s resilience, noting that her return to public discourse with her reputation intact reflects positively on governance standards.
WHAT’S NEXT
Stakeholders have called for institutionalising such reforms through legislation to prevent future reversals and ensure continuity across administrations.
There is also growing advocacy for wider deployment of digital tools in public finance management to enhance transparency and efficiency.
BOTTOM LINE
The discovery of 45,000 ghost workers through BVN integration demonstrates the power of technology in curbing public sector fraud, but sustaining such gains will depend on strong institutions, legal backing, and consistent leadership commitment.
