President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive forensic audit of the Federal Government’s personnel, payroll and institutional systems.
The review will focus on ghost workers, payroll fraud and other weaknesses that may allow people or entities to gain access to public resources without proper authorisation. Tinubu directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to oversee the exercise.
The directive followed a Federal Executive Council resolution reached on August 19, 2026. It also came after findings by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission raised concerns about ghost workers, fake government agencies and weaknesses in administrative controls.
Audit to examine IPPIS, payroll systems
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the audit will have two major components. The first will focus on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System and other connected government platforms.
Auditors will examine payroll, personnel, pension and financial management records as part of the review. They will also investigate reported cases of ghost workers and payroll fraud. The exercise will compare the figures identified by the ICPC with government records.
In addition, the team will trace how fictitious or ineligible individuals entered government payroll systems. The review will also examine identity checks, biometric authentication and bank account controls. Auditors will assess how officials access and manage payroll platforms.
Government agencies face wider review
The second part of the exercise will cover federal ministries, departments and agencies. It will also include commissions, councils, parastatals and other government institutions. The review will establish a definitive list of federal government bodies and verify the legal basis for each organisation.
Officials will also examine how these organisations receive government recognition and access budgetary provisions. The audit will further review their access to official correspondence, office accommodation and government systems.
Audit to examine procurement and oversight
Beyond payroll and government agencies, the exercise will assess governance and internal control systems across the Federal Government. It will examine procurement processes, internal audit structures and oversight mechanisms.
The government said the review would help prevent irregular entities and ineligible individuals from accessing public funds. Tinubu directed the team to conduct the exercise with independence, professionalism and forensic integrity. The audit team will have access to relevant government records and systems. It will also work with the ICPC to ensure that its findings support ongoing investigations, prosecutions and recovery efforts.
Tinubu targets wider system weaknesses
The President wants the exercise to go beyond identifying individual cases of fraud. The review will also seek to identify weaknesses within the government’s administrative systems that may enable fraud or other abuses.
The government expects the exercise to strengthen data verification and reconciliation across its systems.It also aims to ensure that only legally recognised government bodies and eligible personnel can access public funds and government resources.
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