The Federal Government has set a February 17, 2025, deadline for federal civil servants to complete their identity verification, as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate ghost workers from the payroll system.
A memo issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, which was obtained by The PUNCH on Saturday, revealed that civil servants must validate their details on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System portal to avoid penalties, including the possible stoppage of salaries.
According to findings, civil servants are rushing to obtain their Taxpayers Identification Number in a bid to meet the verification deadline.
The exercise requires civil servants to provide their TIN, IPPIS number, and salary account number during the validation process.
The memo stated, “Following the Treasury Circular with Ref. No. TRY/A6&B6/2024-OAGF/CAD/026/Vol. V/910 dated 27th June, 2024 on the above subject matter and subsequent extension dated 16 August, 2024, I am directed to inform you that AGF has approved the extension of the OAF-IPPIS Payroll Validation Portal for an additional one week (10 – 17” February, 2025).
“The portal will be deployed and made accessible to those employees that were unable to complete their validation before the end of earlier deadline. Visit OAF website: www.oagf.gov.ng and access the portal.
“It is hereby emphasised that all employees concerned are expected to conclude update of their payroll information on or before 12 midnight of Monday, February 17, 2025. Please note that officers who fail to avail themselves of this last opportunity may suffer some consequences which may include suspension from the payroll.
“Accounting Officers, Directors/Head of Finance & Account and Internal Audit Units of MDAs and other Arms of Government, are enjoined to give this circular the widest circulation it deserves and ensure compliance.”
The memo follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive in 2024 that civil servants who continued to draw salaries from the Federal Government after relocating abroad must refund the funds.
The President further ordered that supervisors and department heads found complicit in aiding such fraudulent activities be sanctioned accordingly.
