The Federal Government has issued a directive mandating all civil servants to complete their identity verification process by February 17, 2025. This initiative is aimed at eliminating ghost workers from the payroll system and ensuring transparency in salary payments.
A memorandum from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, emphasized the urgency of the verification process. According to the directive, all civil servants must verify their identities through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) portal to remain on the government payroll.
Sources indicate that civil servants across various ministries, departments, and agencies have been rushing to obtain their Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) to meet the deadline. The verification process requires employees to submit their TIN, IPPIS number, and salary account details as part of the authentication process.
The memo states: "Following the Treasury Circular with Ref. No. TRY/A6&B6/2024-OAGF/CAD/026/Vol. V/910 dated 27th June 2024, and subsequent extension dated 16 August 2024, the Accountant-General of the Federation has approved an extension of the OAF-IPPIS Payroll Validation Portal for an additional one week, from February 10 to February 17, 2025.
"The portal will remain accessible to employees who were unable to complete their validation before the initial deadline. Employees are advised to visit the official OAF website, www.oagf.gov.ng, to access the validation portal.
"It is imperative that all concerned employees complete the update of their payroll information on or before midnight on Monday, February 17, 2025. Failure to comply with this directive may result in serious consequences, including suspension from the payroll system."
The memorandum further directs accounting officers, directors, heads of finance and account units, and internal audit units across ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and other government bodies to disseminate the information widely and ensure full compliance.
This move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive in 2024, which mandated that all civil servants receiving government salaries while residing abroad must refund the money. Additionally, the President instructed that supervisors and department heads found complicit in facilitating such fraudulent practices be sanctioned accordingly.
With the deadline fast approaching, civil servants are expected to complete their verification processes promptly to avoid any disruptions to their salary payments or possible disciplinary actions.