The Katsina State Government has dismissed 3,488 workers from 34 local government councils and local education authorities following a biometric screening exercise that uncovered widespread payroll fraud.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda received the committee’s report on Wednesday during the State Executive Council meeting, where he said the exercise exposed cases of ghost workers, falsified documents, absenteeism, and illegal promotions.
Out of 50,172 staff screened, 46,380 were verified, while the rest were found to have presented fake credentials, failed to appear, or engaged in fraudulent practices.
The committee also recovered N4.6 million from individuals receiving double salaries or drawing pay while on leave of absence.
Chairman of the committee, Abdullahi A. Gagare, disclosed that the Education Secretary of Zango LEA was implicated in inserting 24 ghost workers into the payroll, describing it as a “serious breach of trust.”
Governor Radda noted that the exercise had created the first unified digital database of all LGC and LEA staff in Katsina’s history.
He added that the state could save up to N453.3 million monthly and N5.7 billion annually if the recommendations were fully implemented.
“Despite high revenue allocations, many councils still struggle to pay salaries because of fraudulent wage bills. This reform is necessary to free funds for grassroots development,” the governor said, adding that a White Paper would be produced for full implementation of the findings.
The screening was conducted by a 10-member committee made up of retired permanent secretaries, directors, and security personnel, supported by 16 co-opted members.
