Tinubu orders forensic audit of IPPIS, FG systems over ghost workers, fake agencies

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive forensic audit of Federal Government systems, including the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) found ghost workers, alleged “fake agencies” and other control weaknesses.

The directive was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. Tinubu directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to oversee and coordinate the exercise.

What the Presidency is saying

The Presidency said the directive followed the Federal Executive Council’s resolution of August 19, 2026, which was based on ICPC findings concerning “fake agencies”, ghost workers and other weaknesses in government controls.

The audit will determine how fictitious or ineligible persons were enrolled on the government payroll. It will also establish whether the irregularities resulted from system weaknesses, process failures or deliberate circumvention of controls.

“It will examine reported cases of ghost workers and payroll fraud, reconcile the figures identified by the ICPC, trace how fictitious or ineligible persons were enrolled, and review access, identity, biometric and bank-account controls,” the Presidency noted.

Scope of the audit

The review will extend beyond IPPIS to its interfaces with other platforms, including the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), Remita, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and Sub-TSA.

The second part of the exercise will cover Federal Government ministries, departments, agencies, commissions, councils, parastatals and other government bodies. The audit will establish a definitive inventory of government entities and verify their legal status and basis for existence.

It will also examine how government bodies obtain official recognition, budgetary allocations, correspondence privileges, office facilities and access to government systems. The exercise will assess procurement, internal audit, governance and oversight procedures to identify weaknesses that could allow improperly constituted entities or individuals to gain access to public resources.

PFIPC controversy

The audit follows recent concerns over entities that allegedly presented themselves as government institutions despite questions about their legal status. Tinubu had earlier directed the ICPC to investigate the PFIPC after allegations emerged that forged appointment letters and other government documents were used to create the impression of a legitimate federal agency.

The commission was tasked with tracing funds connected to the alleged scheme, identifying any public officials, financial institutions or intermediaries who may have facilitated its activities, and recommending reforms. The controversy raised questions about a reported N1.3 billion appropriation linked to the PFIPC. The Budget Office of the Federation later clarified that the appropriation never became actual government expenditure because the necessary payroll, cash release and procurement processes were not completed.

The PFIPC issue gained national attention after Adeniyi Adeyemi publicly claimed he had been appointed to head the organisation. In mid-July, Adeyemi said he borrowed N400 million to finance what he described as the processing of his appointment, alleging that payments were made through intermediaries and that additional money was later requested. He denied wrongdoing and attempted to link senior officials in the Presidency, including the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to the controversy.

What it means

For Nigerians, this audit is a move to check payroll fraud and ghost workers that drain public resources. If it leads to tighter controls across government payment systems, it could improve confidence in how public funds are managed and reduce pressure on the naira.