The Zamfara State Government has uncovered 2,363 ghost workers following a comprehensive verification exercise of civil and public servants in the state.
The exercise was initiated in August 2024 by Governor Dauda Lawal, who appointed a committee led by the state Head of Service to oversee the process.
According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, the verification also revealed that 220 minors were fraudulently listed as civil servants and receiving monthly salaries.
The statement emphasized that the verification was a crucial step in the government’s efforts to implement the N70,000 minimum wage policy.
Idris said, “The committee’s final report submitted to Governor Dauda Lawal highlighted that 27,109 permanent workers were cleared while workers with questionable employment include 2,363 ghost workers, 1082 civil servants who are due for retirement, 395 contract staff, 261 not on the nominal roll, 213 on study leave, 220 minors in employment, and 67 workers on secondment.
“The report highlighted that 75 workers’ first appointment dates were not in compliance with the issue dates, and all of them were minors at the time of employment.
“During the verification, 2,363 ghost workers were exposed. They were paid a total of N193,642,097.19 every month.
“1082 workers are due for retirement, and they collect a total sum of N80,542,298.26 monthly. At the same time, five workers found to be on secondment were paid monthly N354,927.60.
“The verification committee recommended suspending 207 workers who were not cleared. They are paid a total salary of N16,370,645.90 monthly.
“The committee found 12 workers on the payroll but not in the database and collected a monthly salary of N726,594.
“These verification exercises are ongoing efforts to monitor the Zamfara workforce and ensure transparency and accountability in service, especially as the minimum wage payments begin in March of this year.”