The House of Representatives has decided to launch an investigation into ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and tertiary institutions due to allegations of employment racketeering and mismanagement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). To conduct this probe, an ad-hoc committee will be established, which will provide a report to the House within four weeks for further action.
The motion, put forth by Wole Oke, urged the parliament to scrutinize federal MDAs and tertiary institutions regarding the mismanagement of personnel recruitment, employment racketeering, and gross mishandling of the IPPIS. Oke emphasized the existence of fraudulent activities within the system, leading to the recruitment of ghost workers and causing financial implications for the government.
According to Oke, corruption is pervasive in the employment processes of MDAs and other government parastatals, where vacancies are rarely advertised. In cases where advertisements are made, positions are commodified and sold to the highest bidder. Oke called upon the parliament to investigate these issues and put an end to such practices.
The federal public service plays a vital role in Nigeria, serving as a major employer and facilitating social interventions, poverty reduction, and nationwide access. However, the recruitment and employment processes have been marred by endemic corruption. Public institutions have ceased advertising job vacancies, and even when they do, positions are sold, disregarding applicants’ qualifications and ability to perform effectively.
This situation poses significant risks and hampers public service performance. Historically, Nigeria boasted highly professional public servants, but the quality of recruitment and the prevalence of fraud, abuse, corruption, and monetary considerations have led to a decline. Despite efforts to tackle issues like ghost workers through the introduction of IPPIS, many MDAs, in collaboration with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, have found ways to include ghost workers and receive unauthorized payments.
These actions have resulted in the loss of billions of naira monthly to the Federal Government in payments to ghost workers and illegal payments to civil servants. The recruitment and payment processes have compromised the government’s value for money, affecting the quality, quantity, and substance of personnel involved. Additionally, some legitimately employed staff members have not received salaries for months or years, despite being recruited into the Federal Civil Service legally.
The investigation aims to address these concerns, hold accountable those responsible for malpractices, and restore integrity to the recruitment and payment systems within the public service.