During an investigative hearing session with the House of Representatives ad hoc committee, Ben Akabueze, the director-general of the budget office of the federation, revealed that the federal government employs approximately 1.5 million workers. The committee’s primary focus was to probe into the mismanagement of personnel recruitment, employment racketeering, and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Akabueze stated that the personnel cost of the federal government has surged to over N5 trillion. He recalled that when he assumed office as director-general in 2016, the budget office had 500 employees with an authorized establishment of 520. However, they found that the actual requirement was much lower, at 318. Over the past seven years, they have steadily reduced their workforce to achieve effective personnel cost management. Previously, in 2015, the personnel cost was around N1 trillion, but it has now exceeded N5 trillion.
Addressing the issue of unemployment, Akabueze emphasized that the government’s primary role is to create an enabling environment for the private sector to generate jobs. The total number of federal government employees nationwide, including security services and the military, stands at under 1.5 million. While some argue that the government is overstaffed, Akabueze believes that certain areas have surplus staff, while others, such as policing and other agencies, face severe staff shortages.
Another key figure, Folashade Yemi-Esan, the head of the civil service of the federation, refuted allegations that her office receives bribes in the form of a 10 percent cut whenever waivers are granted to agencies. She asserted that her office provides services to MDAs (Ministries, Departments, and Agencies) without requesting any form of percentage. Yemi-Esan categorically denied any involvement in such unethical practices and expressed her determination to put an end to such rumors.
In a surprising revelation, Muheeba Dankaka, the chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), disclosed instances of staff forging her signature to issue fraudulent letters of employment to unsuspecting Nigerians. Dankaka faced accusations of job racketeering from some commissioners within the FCC. According to her, these individuals manipulated the recruitment process in violation of existing laws, creating fake letters of employment with her forged signature.
The investigative hearing aimed to shed light on the mismanagement of personnel and employment practices within the government, ensuring accountability and transparency in the process
