Former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun has revealed how the Federal Government uncovered 45,000 ghost workers by integrating the Bank Verification Number (BVN) into the federal payroll system.
Speaking at a policy dialogue in Lagos, Adeosun explained that the payroll—then the government’s largest expense—was plagued by inefficiencies and fraud that previous biometric verification efforts failed to address.
She noted that earlier attempts to clean up the system were hindered by resistance from paramilitary agencies like the police and military, which were reluctant to adopt centralised biometric processes.
To bypass this challenge, her team leveraged the existing BVN database instead of introducing new verification measures. By cross-checking payroll records against BVN data, the government identified thousands of fraudulent entries.
Adeosun clarified that many so-called ghost workers were not entirely fictitious but cases of abuse within the system, including individuals linked to multiple salary payments or deceased and transferred workers still receiving wages.
To strengthen accountability, the reform also required Permanent Secretaries to personally approve payrolls, creating a clear line of responsibility and reducing opportunities for fraud.
She emphasised the importance of data-driven governance, noting that evidence-based policymaking strengthens credibility and makes reforms more defensible.
The former minister concluded that while technology such as BVN and AI can drive reforms, sustained impact depends on strong leadership and legal frameworks to ensure such gains are preserved.
