Federal civil servants have until July 31, 2024, to verify their identities on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) portal, as a precautionary measure to prevent ghost workers from receiving salaries.
Those who fail to comply risk having their salaries stopped and facing sanctions.
According to sources, civil servants are flocking to Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) offices nationwide to generate their Taxpayers Identification Number (TIN) as part of the verification process. The TIN, along with the IPPIS number and salary account number, is required for verification.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed that civil servants who have relocated abroad but are still receiving salaries should refund the money they have fraudulently collected.
The President also ordered that supervisors and department heads responsible for aiding and abetting the fraud be punished.
During a recent visit to South Africa, President Tinubu expressed his concerns about the issue of civil servants drawing salaries while abroad without formally resigning.
He emphasized the need for those responsible to be held accountable and restitution made.
A senior civil servant in Abuja confided in our correspondent that many employees are struggling to meet the July 31 deadline for verification. “The deadline is July 31, so we’re all trying to ensure we register before then,” said the official, who obtained their TIN after several failed attempts online.
Another civil servant confirmed that the deadline is indeed July 31 and acknowledged that many colleagues are working hard to avoid any consequences. “In previous years, those who failed to verify their identities had their salaries stopped, so no one wants to risk anything,” they said.
It’s worth noting that following President Tinubu’s directive, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation has set up a portal for civil servants’ verification.
