The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Didi Walson-Jack, confirmed on Monday that the Federal Government’s investigation into civil servants who continue to receive salaries after relocating abroad is still ongoing. Walson-Jack made the statement at an event in Abuja to mark her first 100 days in office, offering a review of her tenure in the civil service.
Walson-Jack emphatically denied claims that the investigation had been abandoned, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring that those who have moved abroad in search of better opportunities are no longer benefiting from Nigeria’s public payroll system.
“The issue of civil servants who have relocated abroad and are still drawing salaries was raised some time ago,” Walson-Jack explained.
“Some initial verifications have already been carried out. Since then, some have returned to their positions, while others have opted for honorable retirement. The process is still underway, and we continue to scrutinize the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to monitor the movement of workers.”
The investigation was prompted by a directive from President Bola Tinubu five months ago, instructing that civil servants who are found to be collecting salaries while living abroad must refund the money.
The president also mandated that supervisors and department heads who facilitated such fraudulent activities be held accountable.
Walson-Jack assured that the government is taking the matter seriously, using the IPPIS system to track civil servants’ movements and identify those who are still on government payrolls despite no longer residing in the country.
“This will be an ongoing process, and we are committed to ensuring that people cannot receive salaries while living abroad,” she emphasized.
In her address, Walson-Jack also reflected on her first 100 days in office, acknowledging the support she has received from her staff, including the ‘Super Permanent Secretaries,’ whose collaboration she credited for making her transition into the role smooth.
“The first 100 days in office is a significant milestone. It provides an opportunity to assess achievements and set the tone for the future,” she said.
Walson-Jack also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing her to the position and assured that her office is working closely with the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to tackle the issue of job racketeering. While the FCSC is responsible for recruitment, Walson-Jack said her office is fully supportive of its efforts.
She pledged to eliminate job racketeering within the civil service, vowing to work with the commission to sanction anyone who has secured a position through fraudulent means.
“We are committed to ensuring transparency and fairness in the recruitment process. Where fraudulent activities are discovered, we will ensure that those involved face appropriate sanctions,” she stated.
