The federal government has mandated civil servants to complete their identity verification by February 17, 2025, as part of efforts to eliminate ghost workers from the federal civil service.
In a memo from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), the government emphasized the need for civil servants to confirm their identities on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) portal by the stated deadline. The verification requires workers to provide their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), IPPIS number, and salary account number. Failure to comply with the verification process will result in halted salaries and other penalties for unregistered workers.
The memo, which refers to a previous Treasury Circular issued in June 2024 and a subsequent extension in August 2024, mentioned that the IPPIS payroll validation portal would remain open for a final one-week extension from February 10 to February 17, 2025, to accommodate those who missed the previous deadlines.
The memo warned that civil servants who fail to complete their verification by February 17 may face suspension from the federal payroll. The directive also urged Accounting Officers, Directors, Heads of Finance & Account, and Internal Audit Units of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure widespread dissemination and compliance with the circular.
This verification exercise aligns with President Bola Tinubu's broader directive to tackle payroll fraud within the civil service. The President had previously ordered that civil servants who continued to draw salaries after relocating abroad should refund the payments and face disciplinary actions. Supervisors and department heads who facilitated such fraudulent practices are also to face disciplinary consequences.
This move is part of the government's ongoing efforts to ensure transparency, improve the efficiency of the civil service, and cut down on corrupt practices like payroll fraud.