Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has revealed how the Federal Government uncovered 45,000 ghost workers in the public service through the integration of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) system.
Adeosun disclosed this during a policy dialogue at the Citadel School of Government in Lagos, where she highlighted the role of technology in tackling payroll fraud and inefficiencies in government expenditure.
She explained that prior to the intervention, the federal payroll represented the government’s largest expense, plagued by systemic leakages that earlier biometric verification efforts failed to address.
According to her, attempts to sanitise the payroll through conventional biometric systems were repeatedly frustrated, particularly by resistance from paramilitary institutions such as the police and military, which declined to integrate with centralised verification platforms.
To overcome the challenge, Adeosun said her team leveraged the existing BVN database instead of introducing new biometric processes.
“We ran the federal payroll against the BVN database, and the result was staggering: we discovered 45,000 ghost workers,” she said.
Clarifying the nature of the irregularities, the former minister noted that many cases were not sophisticated fraud schemes but systemic lapses and individual misconduct.
“In several instances, it wasn’t a ‘ghost’ worker in the traditional sense, but one individual’s BVN linked to multiple salary payments,” she explained, adding that cases also involved deceased or transferred employees who remained on the payroll.
Adeosun said the reform was strengthened by introducing accountability measures, including requiring Permanent Secretaries to personally sign off on their ministries’ payrolls, thereby creating a clear chain of responsibility.
She emphasised the importance of data-driven governance, urging policymakers to rely on empirical evidence when defending reforms.
“If you come armed with data and evidence, it becomes difficult to challenge your position. Data is hard to dispute,” she noted.
The event also featured Tunde Bakare and Mike Adebamowo, who stressed the need for leaders to adopt modern tools, including artificial intelligence and data systems, in addressing governance challenges.
Adeosun further advised current and emerging leaders to embrace technology while maintaining the discipline required to implement reforms effectively.
She added that while digital tools provide the necessary framework for change, strong leadership remains critical to ensuring successful execution and long-term impact.
Participants at the dialogue agreed that although the discovery of 45,000 ghost workers marked a significant milestone in curbing public sector fraud, such reforms must be institutionalised through legislation to prevent reversal by future administrations.
In his remarks, Bakare commended Adeosun’s resilience and integrity, noting that her return to public discourse reinforces confidence in leadership accountability.
The dialogue concluded with a consensus that while innovations like BVN and artificial intelligence offer powerful tools for reform, sustained progress depends on leadership commitment and legal backing.
