The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) reported that some ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) were paying salaries to "ghost workers," and the federal government claims to have opened an investigation into this.
In an interactive session with media in Abuja over the weekend, Kachollom Daju, permanent secretary of the federal ministry of labour and employment, reportedly revealed this.
Between January and June 2022, N49.9 billion in salaries for phantom works were paid, according to ICPC's announcement last week.
One of the MDAs is the ministry of labour and employment.
Daju responded to the assertion by stating that the ministry had launched an investigation into the charge.
“Yes, investigations are ongoing, but I cannot tell you for certain what the government will do at the end of it,” Daju said.
“All I can say is that the federal government is currently looking into it, not only the federal ministry of labour and employment but all other ministries, departments and agencies that have been alleged to be part of what happened.”
Daju said the administration was working towards establishing job centres in each of the 36 states and federal capital territory, as well as the 774 local government areas, to tackle unemployment.
She added that the decision of the federal government to exit 100 million Nigerians out of the poverty line would be more feasible if stakeholders recognised their roles and played them effectively.