Many former Nigerian civil servants continue to receive salaries despite being employed elsewhere, sometimes even in other countries.
The issue reached the top last week when President Bola Tinubu ordered a crackdown, stating, “The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected.”
Sabitu Adams, a pseudonym to protect his identity, is one such individual. Despite leaving Nigeria two years ago and working as a taxi driver in the UK, he still receives a monthly salary of 150,000 naira ($100; £80) as a junior official at a government agency in Nigeria.
Adams is not concerned about losing this salary, viewing President Tinubu’s directive as an empty threat. He explains that the income from his taxi job far exceeds his Nigerian salary and admits he didn’t resign to keep the option open to return.
Nigeria’s President Tinubu has condemned the ongoing payments to civil servants no longer working in the country, calling for investigations and punishments for those enabling such practices.
This directive came after revelations that many Nigerian employees had relocated abroad while still drawing salaries without formally resigning.
Over the past two years, more than 3.6 million Nigerians have moved abroad, driven by limited prospects and the devaluation of the naira. This migration trend, commonly referred to as “japa,” has been exacerbated by recent economic reforms under Tinubu’s administration.
Ghost-working, where salaries are paid to non-existent workers, remains a significant issue in Nigeria. Despite previous crackdowns, thousands are still believed to be fraudulently receiving payments. This marks the first major revelation that individuals living abroad are continuing to draw salaries from the Nigerian government.
President Tinubu, who took office in May, has pledged to reduce governance costs and wastage. However, there is skepticism about the effectiveness of his measures, as recent actions, such as plans to buy new planes and build a new residence for the Vice-President, seem to contradict his cost-cutting promises.