Katsina Government Dismisses 3,488 Workers Over Payroll Fraud, Unveils Digital Staff Database

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Massive Dismissal Follows Biometric Screening

The Katsina State Government has dismissed 3,488 workers across 34 local government councils and local education authorities after a biometric screening exercise revealed widespread payroll fraud.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda confirmed the development on Wednesday during the State Executive Council meeting, noting that the exercise uncovered ghost workers, falsified documents, absenteeism, and unauthorised promotions that had drained government resources.

Fraudulent Practices Exposed

Out of the 50,172 staff screened, only 46,380 were verified, while the rest were found to have presented fake credentials, failed to appear for verification, or collected multiple salaries illegally.

The screening committee, chaired by Abdullahi A. Gagare, revealed that the Education Secretary of Zango Local Education Authority was implicated in inserting 24 ghost workers into the payroll — a breach described as “a serious betrayal of public trust.”

Additionally, the committee recovered N4.6 million from individuals who had received double salaries or continued to draw pay while on leave of absence.

Financial Implications and Reforms

Governor Radda emphasised that the exercise marked the creation of the first unified digital database for all local government and education authority staff in the state’s history.

He disclosed that the state could save up to N453.3 million monthly and N5.7 billion annually if the recommendations were fully implemented.

“Despite significant allocations from the federal government, many local councils have struggled to meet salary obligations because of fraudulent wage bills. This reform is critical to free up funds for grassroots development,” the governor stated.

White Paper and Next Steps

The governor further announced that a White Paper would be produced to guide the full implementation of the committee’s recommendations.

The screening was carried out by a 10-member panel comprising retired permanent secretaries, directors, and security officials, supported by 16 co-opted members, to ensure transparency and credibility.

With the findings now public, Katsina State is expected to enforce stricter payroll controls to prevent future fraud and improve efficiency in salary administration.

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