… UK Taxi Driver Still Being Paid as Nigerian Civil Servant.
In an unusual scenario, some former Nigerian civil servants continue to receive their salaries even after leaving their positions, with some even employed abroad. President Bola Tinubu has recently ordered a crackdown on this issue, stating, “The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected.”
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Sabitu Adams, a pseudonym to protect his identity, has not officially resigned from his junior official role at a Nigerian government agency and still receives a monthly salary despite relocating to the UK two years ago. He now works as a taxi driver in the UK and remains unconcerned about losing his Nigerian salary of 150,000 naira ($100; £80), given his higher earnings as a taxi driver.
“When I heard about the president’s directive, I smiled because I know I am doing better here and not worried,” said the 36-year-old. Adams admitted he didn’t resign because he wanted to keep the option of returning to his job open.
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President Tinubu, during a flag-off ceremony for the Mabushi bus terminal construction in Abuja, emphasized the need for accountability, urging supervisors and department heads complicit in such fraud to be punished.
Over the past two years, more than 3.6 million Nigerians have relocated abroad, driven by economic challenges and the devaluation of the naira. The term “japa,” from Yoruba meaning to escape, has become synonymous with this trend.
Adams revealed that his continued salary payments were facilitated by an understanding with his boss, who was also a relative. In many cases, salaries are shared between the absentee employee, their supervisor, and possibly an HR representative.
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The so-called “ghost-workers” remains an important issue in Nigeria. Despite crackdowns, thousands of non-existent workers still receive their salaries. Auwal Yakasai, a retired director from Kano state’s information ministry, acknowledged hearing about such arrangements but never caught anyone in the act.
President Tinubu, who pledged to reduce government expenditure, recently directed a 60% reduction in official entourages. However, critics point to a lack of action, citing expensive new planes for the president and vice-president and a costly new residence for Vice-President Shettima as contradictory to his pledges.
The president’s crackdown on foreign ghost-workers remains vague, with no specific actions detailed to address the problem.
