The Kano State Government has reportedly recovered over ₦28 million in salaries paid to 247 dead and retired workers in March 2025.
The discovery came after a validation exercise was carried out on the March payroll by a committee set up to reform the state’s salary system.
According to a statement from Musa Tanko Muhammad, Press Secretary to the Secretary to the State Government, the fraudulent payments were traced to the payroll of Local Government Councils.
Findings revealed that despite having retired or passed away, the names of 247 individuals still appeared on the payroll, and salaries continued to be paid to them.
The total amount recovered from the ghost payments for March alone stood at ₦27,824,395.40.
The statement read;
“In a decisive move towards cleansing the State Payroll, the Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Yusuf, has recorded a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to reform the salary administration system within the State civil service.
“As part of the reform process, a Pay Parade Committee has been established and will commence its operations shortly. In preparation for the full implementation of its mandate, the Committee deemed it necessary to involve all stakeholders. Consequently, the Committee printed the March 2025 payroll vouchers and requested all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and Local Government Councils to study the Payrolls and make necessary observations as a prelude to a comprehensive Pay Parade scheduled to be flagged off on Monday the 28th of April. Arising from the validation exercise, a disturbing irregularity was uncovered within the payroll system of Local Government Councils. The findings revealed that 247 individuals have either retired from service or dead yet, yet have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries are running. These fraudulent salary payments amount to the sum of ₦27,824,395.40 for March 2025 alone.
“In a prompt and effective response, and while further due diligence is being conducted to determine the extent of this apparent fraud and the perpetrators, the amount has been recovered and returned to the Local Government Treasury.
“This significant recovery underscores the administration’s unwavering dedication to entrenching governance, transparency, and responsible management of public resources.”
