Anti-graft agency identifies 908 suspected fake employees across 50 MDAs, exposing how insiders padded payrolls with relatives and fictitious names

Nigeria’s anti-corruption watchdog has uncovered a sweeping payroll fraud scheme across federal institutions, with the Nigeria Police Force emerging as the worst hit.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has identified 908 suspected ghost workers in at least 50 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), recovering about ₦942 million in illegally paid salaries.

ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), who disclosed the findings during an ongoing payroll verification exercise, described the situation as deeply troubling, noting that the fraud was driven largely by insiders exploiting weak oversight systems.

Ghost workers—non-existent employees whose names are inserted into government payrolls—have long been a drain on public funds. In many cases, officials allegedly add names of family members or associates who never show up for work but continue to receive salaries.

One striking case, according to the ICPC, involved a man who allegedly placed his wife, son, and mother-in-law on the payroll, while also collecting salaries for 12 additional fictitious workers.

The Nigeria Police Force recorded the highest number of suspected ghost workers, with 570 names flagged during the exercise.

“For this operation, we identified 570 people whom we suspect are among the fake workers collecting salaries without working,” Aliyu said.

The National Water Resources Authority followed with 80 suspected ghost workers, while several key ministries also featured prominently in the findings.

The Federal Ministry of Works had 56 suspected fake employees, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recorded 24, while the Ministries of Defence, Electricity, and Industry, Trade and Investment had 19, 17, and 17 respectively. The Ministry of Health accounted for 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, although specific figures were not disclosed.

The ICPC says investigations are ongoing, with more recoveries and possible prosecutions expected as it deepens its audit of government payroll systems.

The discovery adds fresh urgency to calls for stricter controls and transparency in Nigeria’s public service, as authorities battle to plug financial leakages and restore public trust.