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Biometric screening exposes widespread ghost workers and falsified credentials in Katsina.
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State projects monthly savings of ₦453.3m, total recoveries hit ₦4.6m
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Reform expected to free funds for grassroots development
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has terminated 3,488 workers from 34 Local Government Councils (LGCs) and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) following a biometric screening exercise that revealed rampant payroll fraud.
The exercise, which covered 50,172 staff, verified 46,380 as genuine employees. The remaining were found with fake credentials, ghost postings, absenteeism, or refused to appear.
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The screening, conducted by a 10-member committee, uncovered underage staff, illegal promotions, and cases where positions were sublet. ₦4.6 million was recovered from officials drawing double salaries or paid while on leave.
Committee chairman Abdullahi A. Gagare highlighted a case in Zango LEA, where the Education Secretary allegedly inserted 24 ghost workers, calling it a “serious breach of trust.”
Governor Radda said: “We have been aware of these issues. Many warned that this could cost political support, but reform was necessary to save the state from the grip of a few and free resources for development.”
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The exercise also created the first unified digital database of LGC and LEA staff in Katsina, projecting monthly savings of ₦453.3 million. With full implementation, total savings could reach ₦5.7 billion, easing wage burdens in councils such as Kafur, Malumfashi, and Daura.
Radda has directed that the committee’s findings be turned into a White Paper for full implementation.
