Kaduna Govt fires thousands over payroll fraud
The Katsina State Government has dismissed 3,488 workers across 34 Local Government Councils (LGCs) and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) following a biometric verification exercise that exposed large-scale irregularities.
Governor Dikko Radda, who received the report of the exercise today said a total of 50,172 staff were screened, with 46,380 cleared as genuine employees. The remaining staff were flagged for presenting fake credentials, ghost postings, absenteeism, or for failing to appear for verification.
The findings, formally presented at the State Executive Council meeting, mark the creation of Katsina’s first-ever unified digital database for all LGC and LEA staff. According to the governor, implementing the recommendations is projected to save the state ₦453.3 million monthly.
The 10-member committee uncovered falsified birth certificates, underage employment, illegal promotions, and cases where positions were sublet to others. It also recovered ₦4.6 million from officers who were receiving double salaries or collecting pay while on leave of absence.
Committee chairman, Abdullahi A. Gagare, revealed that the Education Secretary of Zango LEA was implicated in inserting 24 ghost workers into the payroll, describing it as a “serious breach of trust.”
Governor Radda said he was aware the exercise might generate political backlash but insisted it was necessary to reform the system. He directed that the committee’s findings be compiled into a White Paper for full implementation.
The governor disclosed that local councils currently have about ₦500 million in savings, which could grow to ₦5.7 billion when the reforms take effect. He stressed that eliminating ghost workers would free up funds for grassroots development, particularly in councils such as Kafur, Malumfashi, and Daura, which have been struggling with bloated wage bills.
“This is how we can have money to work for the general people in our local governments,” Radda said.
The biometric screening was conducted by a 10-member panel comprising four retired Permanent Secretaries, six Directors, 16 co-opted members, and security personnel.
