Nigeria faces scandal as former civil servants abroad continue receiving salaries. President Tinubu orders crackdown amid public outrage. Ghost-working exposes flaws in the payroll system. Critics question the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures. The phenomenon is linked to the "japa" trend of young Nigerians seeking opportunities overseas.
A startling revelation has emerged in Nigeria's ongoing battle against corruption in the civil service. Some former government employees who have relocated abroad continue to receive salaries from their previous positions, sparking outrage among Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu recently ordered a crackdown on this practice, demanding that culprits refund fraudulently collected money and that supervisors enabling such fraud be investigated. However, some beneficiaries of this scheme remain unfazed by the president's directives.
One such individual, a former junior official now working as a taxi driver in the UK, anonymously shared that he still receives his monthly Nigerian salary of 150,000 naira ($100) despite leaving two years ago. He expressed little concern over potentially losing this income, citing higher earnings from his current job.
The phenomenon, part of the larger "japa" trend of young Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad, has exposed significant flaws in the country's payroll system. Ghost-working, where non-existent employees receive salaries, has long plagued Nigeria's civil service.
Nigerians have reacted with outrage to these revelations. Social media platforms are flooded with angry comments, with many calling for swift and severe punishment for those involved. Citizens express frustration over the misuse of public funds while the country grapples with economic challenges.
Despite President Tinubu's pledges to reduce governance costs and cut wastage, skepticism remains. Critics point to recent high-profile government expenditures as contradictions to these promises.
As the government faces pressure to address this issue, questions arise about the effectiveness of previous crackdowns and the need for more robust checks and balances in the civil service payroll system.
Credit: BBC
