Tinubu Orders Forensic Audit to Unmask Ghost Workers, Fake Agencies
For years, Nigerians have complained about public funds allegedly disappearing through ghost workers, fictitious government entities and weak administrative controls.
Now, those benefiting from such loopholes may have cause to worry.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive forensic audit of Federal Government systems, aimed at identifying how individuals and entities have gained access to public resources illegally or through weaknesses in government processes.
The exercise, which could expose more cases of payroll fraud and other forms of financial abuse, will be coordinated by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele.
The Presidentās directive followed the August 19, 2026 resolution of the Federal Executive Council, which considered findings by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, concerning fake government agencies, ghost workers and other control failures.
At the heart of the exercise is the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, which will undergo a forensic review alongside other personnel, pension and financial-management platforms.
The audit will seek to determine how fictitious or ineligible persons were enrolled on government payrolls, trace the identities and bank accounts involved, and examine weaknesses in access, biometric and verification systems.
It will also scrutinise the relationship between IPPIS and other government financial platforms, including the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, GIFMIS, Remita, the
