Nigeria’s Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, has confirmed that an investigation is ongoing to identify civil servants who continue to receive government salaries despite relocating abroad.
Speaking during an event in Abuja to mark her 100 days in office, Walson-Jack reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending the fraudulent practice and ensuring accountability.
The investigation, launched five months after President Bola Tinubu’s directive, utilizes the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to track irregularities in the civil service payroll.
President Tinubu had earlier ordered that all civil servants found guilty of such practices must refund the money and that supervisors or department heads involved would also face consequences.
Walson-Jack emphasized that the measures are part of broader efforts to maintain integrity in the civil service and ensure that resources are appropriately allocated to those actively serving within the country.
“You are asking about civil servants who may have ‘Japa’. We know that the issue was raised, and some verifications were carried out. Since then, some returned quickly, while others retired honourably,” she stated.
“Right now, we are continuing the process, scrutinising the IPPIS payroll to identify those who are still in the country and those who are not. This will be an ongoing process to ensure that people cannot receive salaries while living abroad.”
She added, “Some progress has been made, and we will continue to monitor the situation until it is fully addressed.”
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