ICPC uncovers 908 ghost workers in federal payroll, Nigeria Police Force leads with highest numbers
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC has identified 908 suspected ghost workers across at least 50 ministries, departments, and agencies during a payroll verification exercise. The commission recovered approximately N942 million in allegedly fraudulent salaries. ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, stated that the Nigeria Police Force recorded the highest number of suspected fake workers with 570 individuals. Other institutions with significant numbers include the National Water Resources Authority with 80, the Federal Ministry of Works with 56, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with 24, and the Ministry of Defence with 19. The Federal Ministry of Electricity and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment each had 17 suspected fake workers, while the Federal Ministry of Health had 15, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had 12. The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Interior were also implicated. The ICPC defines ghost workers as fictitious names on government payrolls or instances where officials divert salaries by adding relatives or associates who are not employed. Investigations into this payroll fraud, which began in 2024, are ongoing.
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The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation NDIC has started paying insured deposits to customers of 46 microfinance banks whose licenses were revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN on July 1, 2026. NDIC Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr Thompson Sunday, stated that payments are being processed using the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System and customers’ Bank Verification Numbers BVNs, with funds credited directly to alternative bank accounts. Depositors without BVNs are advised to visit an NDIC zonal office for verification. The corporation is paying an insured maximum deposit of N2 million to eligible customers, with further payments contingent on the recovery of assets and outstanding debts from the failed banks. Sunday highlighted prompt reimbursement efforts for Heritage Bank, Aso Savings, and Union Homes, noting that payments to Heritage Bank depositors were made within four days and to Aso Savings and Union Homes customers within 72 hours. The CBN revoked the licenses due to the banks' failure to meet regulatory requirements, aiming to protect depositors, enhance financial stability, and ensure regulatory compliance.
The Nigerian House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to adopt a comprehensive national drone industrialisation policy to enhance the country’s defence manufacturing capacity and address security threats. Following a motion by Lagos lawmaker Ademorin Kuye, the House also called for structured financial support for indigenous drone manufacturers to scale production for the Armed Forces and other security agencies. Kuye highlighted Nigeria's complex security challenges, including terrorism and banditry, and noted the increasing use of commercial drones by non-state armed groups. He emphasized Nigeria's potential to become a drone technology hub given its engineering talent and growing technology entrepreneurship ecosystem. While acknowledging the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology's development of the Tsaigumi Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in 2018, Kuye lamented the largely underdeveloped and undercapitalized local drone manufacturing sector. The House resolved to provide capital support to verified indigenous manufacturers through various financing mechanisms and mandated its committees to develop a National Drone Industrialisation Policy. This policy would include negotiating technology transfer agreements with international manufacturers, prioritizing training for Nigerian engineers, and establishing dedicated Defence Industrial Zones with fiscal incentives. Lawmakers also called for a review of existing laws governing defence procurement and local content
Must ReadThe House of Representatives has initiated an investigation into the Mining Marshals following allegations of financial misconduct and operational irregularities. This decision stems from a motion by Mr. Abdulmaleek Danga, who highlighted concerns including a reported N2bn traced to a State Commander's bank account. The Mining Marshals, inaugurated on March 21, 2024, by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Federal Ministry of Interior, comprise over 2,200 personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Their mandate is to combat illegal mining, secure sites, and protect government revenue. However, Danga alleged the unit has deviated from its purpose, lacking operational knowledge and wrongfully apprehending legitimate title holders. He also raised concerns about the redeployment of the commander linked to the N2bn, rather than prosecution, which has fueled suspicions of compromise. Furthermore, the transparency of the unit's finances was questioned, specifically regarding the procurement of operational vehicles without clear legislative appropriation. The House mandated its Committee on Solid Minerals Development to investigate the unit's operations, legal mandate, corruption allegations, and funding sources, with a four-week deadline to report back.