Nigerians have continued to express surprise following an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which reportedly uncovered 908 ghost workers across several government ministries and agencies.
The ICPC said it had seized about ₦942 million, approximately $683,000, allegedly linked to fraudulent salary payments made to the ghost workers.
The Chairman of the ICPC, Musa Aliyu, SAN, confirmed to the BBC that the workers were discovered during an investigation launched by the commission in 2024.
He said the investigation began after the commission uncovered fraudulent pension payments in 2024.
Who Are Ghost Workers?
Ghost workers are people whose names appear on an organisation’s payroll even though they do not work there or may not exist.
Salaries are paid in their names because their details have already been entered into the payroll system. The money is deposited into designated bank accounts even though the individuals perform no work.
In some cases, senior officials allegedly add the names of relatives or associates to the payroll and divert the salaries for personal use.
Barrister Musa Adamu said investigators discovered a man who allegedly placed the names of his wife, son and mother-in-law on the payroll. He was also reportedly receiving the salaries of 12 other workers.
Which Government Institutions Had the Most Ghost Workers?
The ICPC chairman said the investigation found that at least 50 government ministries and agencies were affected by the alleged fraud.
He identified five institutions with the highest numbers of suspected ghost workers.
1. Nigeria Police Force — 570 Ghost Workers
The ICPC chairman said the Nigeria Police Force was among the agencies with the highest number of suspected ghost workers.
“In this operation, we identified 570 people suspected of receiving salaries without working,” he said.
The Nigeria Police Force is one of the largest public-sector employers in the country.
2. National Water Resources Authority — 80 Ghost Workers
The ICPC investigation reportedly uncovered several ghost workers at the National Water Resources Authority.
“In this agency, we identified 80 people who were receiving salaries even though they were not employees,” Barrister Adamu said.
The agency is responsible for the management and development of the country’s water resources.
3. Federal Ministry of Works — 56 Ghost Workers
The Federal Ministry of Works was also among the government institutions where the ICPC investigation reportedly uncovered ghost workers.
“We identified 56 ghost workers,” Barrister Musa Adamu said.
The ministry is responsible for planning, constructing and maintaining federal highways and other major infrastructure across the country.
4. Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs — 24 Ghost Workers
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly recorded the fourth-highest number of ghost workers.
“In this institution, we identified 24 people posing as workers,” the ICPC chairman said.
The ministry oversees Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with other countries.
5. Federal Ministry of Defence — 19 Ghost Workers
The Federal Ministry of Defence reportedly had the fifth-highest number of suspected ghost workers.
“At the Ministry of Defence, we identified 19 people acting as ghost workers,” he said.
The ministry is responsible for overseeing Nigeria’s defence policies and military institutions.
Other government institutions reportedly affected include:
- Federal Ministry of Power — 17 people
- Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment — 17 people
- Federal Ministry of Health — 15 people
- Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation — 12 people
- Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation
- Federal Ministry of Interior
