Nigerian Civil Servant in UK Continues Receiving Salary from Nigeria After Two Years

A Nigerian civil servant, who relocated to the United Kingdom in 2022, has revealed that he continues to receive his monthly salary from Nigeria, despite not reporting to work for over two years.

The 36-year-old, referred to as Daniel due to the sensitivity of the matter, works as a taxi driver in the UK. He told the BBC that he still receives N150,000 monthly from his Nigerian employer, thanks to a mutual understanding with his boss.

This revelation comes amid recent efforts by the Federal Government to crack down on government workers who have relocated abroad but continue to draw salaries without formally resigning. President Bola Tinubu, responding to revelations by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, has ordered that such individuals refund the money they have fraudulently collected.

President Tinubu stated, “Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch,” emphasizing his administration’s commitment to accountability and restitution.

Non-government workers in similar situations have also continued to receive payments without being part of the civil service. Some individuals who have either quit their government jobs or relocated overseas still receive their salaries.

Daniel, a junior official at a government agency, remains unfazed by the President’s directive, stating that his current earnings in the UK surpass his salary from Nigeria. “When I heard about the president’s directive, I smiled because I know I am doing better here – and not worried,” he said.

Daniel explained that he did not resign from his position in Nigeria because he wanted to keep the option of returning open. “To be honest, I didn’t resign because I wanted to leave that door open in case I choose to go back to my job after a few years,” he admitted.

He is one of several Nigerians who have relocated abroad but still receive their monthly salaries from the Federal Government. In June 2022, Dr. Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, disclosed that the Federal Government-backed Integration Personnel and Payroll Information System had exposed and eliminated about 70,000 ghost workers in the civil service, saving the government at least N220 billion.

Daniel continues to receive his salary without working, thanks to an understanding with his boss, who is a relative. Unlike typical ghost worker arrangements where salaries are shared with superiors, Daniel’s situation is unique. “In my case, it wasn’t like that as my boss was a relative,” he said.

This ongoing issue highlights the challenges faced by the Nigerian government in ensuring accountability and efficiency within its civil service.