London, UK – Sabitu Adams, a Nigerian who moved to the UK two years ago, continues to receive a monthly salary as a junior official at a government agency in Nigeria, despite now working as a taxi driver in the UK.
Adams, whose name was changed by a BBC report to protect his identity, has not resigned from his position in Nigeria, making him one of the many “ghost workers” within the Nigerian civil service. This widespread issue sees individuals still drawing government salaries despite not fulfilling their roles, often after leaving the country.
Government’s Response
Each year, the Nigerian government conducts biometric verifications, unveiling the number of ghost workers and the money saved from these fraudulent activities. However, there are rarely any arrests or prosecutions announced, raising questions about accountability.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu issued a directive mandating that all civil servants who have relocated abroad and continue to draw salaries from the government must refund the money. Additionally, Tinubu called for the punishment of the supervisors and department heads who enabled this fraud.
Adams’ Perspective
Despite these directives, Adams remains unconcerned. “When I heard about the president’s directive, I smiled because I know I am doing better here – and not worried,” the 36-year-old taxi driver told the BBC. He admitted that he did not resign from his Nigerian job “in case I choose to go back to my job after a few years.”
Adams disclosed that he has an arrangement with his boss in Nigeria, who is a relative, allowing him to continue drawing his government salary while living abroad.
Broader Implications
The case of Sabitu Adams highlights the deep-rooted issue of ghost workers within the Nigerian civil service. While the government’s efforts to identify and remove these ghost workers save money, the lack of prosecution or meaningful consequences for those involved continues to undermine the integrity of the public sector.
President Tinubu’s recent directives signal a renewed effort to tackle this issue, but it remains to be seen whether these measures will lead to substantial changes and accountability within the system. The situation underscores the need for stronger enforcement and transparent actions to eradicate the ghost worker phenomenon and restore public trust in the Nigerian civil service.
