In a determined effort to cleanse its civil service system, Kano State government has exposed and recovered nearly N28 million lost to a salary fraud scheme involving deceased and retired workers.
Kano State government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has made a significant breakthrough in its ongoing payroll validation exercise, uncovering anomalies within the local government payroll system.
According to a statement by Musa Tanko, Press Secretary to the Secretary to the State Government, the discovery came during the March 2025 audit of salary payments.
The validation process revealed that 247 individuals — either retired or deceased — were still being paid, causing the state to lose a staggering N27,824,395.40 in just one month. The administration, keen on instilling transparency and accountability, quickly moved to recover the lost funds.
“In a decisive move towards cleansing the state’s payroll, the Kano State government has recorded a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to reform salary administration within the civil service,” the statement read.
As part of the broader reform, the state established a Pay Parade Committee tasked with carefully examining the payroll system. Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and local government councils were instructed to scrutinize the printed March 2025 payroll vouchers and report discrepancies ahead of a comprehensive pay parade set to begin on Monday, April 28.
The validation findings were deeply concerning. Not only were deceased and retired workers still listed, but their salaries were being routinely paid without detection until now.
Tanko emphasized that, pending further investigation, the government has already recovered the sum and returned it to the respective local governments’ treasury accounts.
“The discovery underscores the administration’s unwavering dedication to promoting good governance, ensuring transparency, and responsibly managing public resources,” Tanko noted.
The statement also confirmed that Governor Yusuf’s administration is committed to purging all irregularities from the payroll system. Individuals involved in the fraudulent practices will be identified and prosecuted according to the law.
This revelation comes as Kano, like many states across Nigeria, battles widespread concerns over ghost workers and salary padding in its public sector. Salary fraud has long drained public funds that could otherwise be invested in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Analysts commend the state government’s proactive steps, noting that curbing payroll fraud not only saves money but restores public trust in governance. By ensuring only legitimate workers receive salaries, the government strengthens its commitment to the people and sets a standard for other states to emulate.
The upcoming pay parade exercise is expected to be rigorous, with thorough vetting of all payrolls. The government has called on all employees, both active and retired, to cooperate fully to ensure a seamless process.
In a broader sense, the move signifies a shift towards more disciplined and transparent financial management in Kano State. Governor Yusuf’s administration has reiterated that reforms will touch every aspect of government operations, leaving no room for corruption or mismanagement.
As the state continues with its validation exercise, citizens and stakeholders eagerly await the final report and hope the efforts will lead to a more efficient, honest civil service system — one that prioritizes merit, service, and integrity.
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