The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the issue of civil servants who have relocated abroad while still drawing salaries from Nigeria.
At the 2024 Civil Service Award and Gala Night, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had stated that any civil servant who relocated abroad while still receiving wages from Nigeria must return the funds paid to them during their time abroad.
Addressing the media on Monday during a press conference marking her first 100 days in office, Walson-Jack confirmed that some affected workers have returned to Nigeria to resume their duties, while others have formally resigned.
Walson-Jack emphasized that affected workers must refund all salaries received during their time abroad.
She assured the public that efforts to identify and hold accountable these “ghost workers” would remain ongoing, with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPIS) playing a crucial role in the verification process.
“On the civil servants who have ‘japa’, the issue came up and there was verifications done. Some of them returned to the country to continue working while some other resigned honourably.
“Right now, it’s just to sustain the momentum. We’re still scrutinising using the IPIS HR and the IPIS payroll to know who is there and who’s out.
“I think that’ll be a continuous process to ensure that people are not having their cake and eating it by going outside and still receiving their salaries.
“Progress has been made in this regard and we’ll ensure that it is completely dealt with,” she stated.
The HCSF also addressed the issue of salary harmonisation, a topic that has been pending for some time.
Walson-Jack said, “The issue has been on for quite some time. When I came in I tried to find out where we are on that I’m aware that the National Wages, Income and Salary Commission is working very hard on that. I’m also aware there’s a Presidential committee on Salary.
“And being a member of that committee, I can assure that the committee is working hard to deal with all the issues concerning salaries. I want to remind you that just before the minimum wage was approved, there was what we called a wage award and that also was very beneficial to the salaries of civil servants.”
Walson-Jack concluded by reminding the press that, prior to the approval of the minimum wage, a wage award had been implemented, benefiting the salaries of civil servants across the country.
