The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, has confirmed that the ongoing investigation into civil servants still drawing salaries after relocating abroad is progressing as planned.
Speaking at a briefing in Abuja on Monday to mark her first 100 days in office, Walson-Jack assured that the government was committed to rooting out the practice.
She emphasized that the investigation, initiated after the discovery of civil servants receiving pay while abroad, is being conducted through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), which tracks government employees’ payroll data.
This probe follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu in June 2024, ordering sanctions for civil servants found guilty of continuing to receive salaries after relocating.
The President also instructed that those in supervisory roles who were complicit in the fraudulent activities should be held accountable.
In her remarks, Walson-Jack noted that some civil servants had already voluntarily resigned, while others were honorably retiring to avoid scrutiny.
She stated that the verification process was ongoing, with the aim to ensure that no civil servant continues to draw a salary while living abroad without proper authorization.
“We are still scrutinizing using IPPIS to identify who is here and who is not,” she said, adding that the process would be continuous.
The issue was first raised by former HCSF Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, who confirmed that efforts were being made to track those still on the payroll despite relocating.
In addition to the probe, Walson-Jack highlighted the achievements of her office in her first 100 days, including a focus on improving service delivery within the civil service.
She also spoke about collaboration with the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to address the rising issue of job racketeering.
Walson-Jack acknowledged the support from her team and the “Super Permanent Secretaries” for making her transition into office smooth.
She also revealed that her office is working on a comprehensive on-boarding package for new civil servants to ensure they feel welcome and supported in their roles.
