FG tightens payroll checks, blocks new workers with incomplete records

The Federal Government has tightened controls on the admission of newly recruited employees into its payroll, barring workers with incomplete documentation or unresolved discrepancies from being enrolled.

The new directive, which takes immediate effect, requires all newly recruited employees to be captured on the nominal roll of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and satisfy prescribed validation and eligibility requirements before receiving salaries.

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday as part of efforts to strengthen accountability, transparency and efficiency in the management of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

Under the revised process, MDAs are required to formally submit payroll admission requests alongside recruitment approvals, appointment letters, applicable waivers and other supporting documents.

The OAGF said employee records, including salary structures, grade levels, steps, allowances and other financial entitlements, would undergo thorough verification before approval.

The validation exercise will also cover statutory information such as Pension Fund Administrator details, pension identification numbers, National Housing Fund registration and tax records to ensure accurate deductions and timely remittances.

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Following the initial verification, employee records will be returned to the relevant MDAs for confirmation and endorsement by the Accounting Officer, Director of Human Resources, Director of Finance and Accounts, and designated Payroll Validating Officer.

The records will subsequently be returned to the OAGF for final processing.

The office said final admission into the Federal Government payroll would be subject to satisfactory completion of all validation procedures and approval by the Accountant-General of the Federation.

It also directed Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies and other relevant officers to ensure strict compliance with the new requirements.

According to the OAGF, officers responsible for processing and approving payroll admissions will be held accountable for any breach of applicable rules and regulations.

The new arrangement applies to all ongoing and subsequent payroll admission processes for newly recruited Federal Government employees.

The statement was signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa.