President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive forensic audit of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Federal Government agencies and their internal control systems following revelations of ghost workers, “fake agencies” and other control failures.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the audit is expected to establish the nature and extent of weaknesses in government control systems and determine how such loopholes have been exploited.
Tinubu directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to oversee and coordinate the exercise.
The directive followed the resolution of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on August 19, 2026, in response to findings by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on irregularities within the Federal Government system.
Audit to Probe IPPIS, Payroll Systems
The first component of the exercise will focus on a forensic audit of government systems, particularly IPPIS and related payroll, personnel, pension and financial-management platforms.
The audit will examine reported cases of ghost workers and payroll fraud, reconcile the figures identified by the ICPC and trace how fictitious or ineligible persons were enrolled into government systems.
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It will also review access, identity, biometric and bank-account controls to determine how irregularities occurred.
The exercise will examine the links between IPPIS and other government platforms, including the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), Remita, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and Sub-TSA.
The government said the review would determine whether identified fraud resulted from system defects, process failures, inadequate segregation of duties or deliberate circumvention of controls.
All federal agencies to be scrutinised
The second component of the audit will cover all Federal Government agencies, departments, commissions, councils, parastatals and other government bodies.
The exercise will establish a definitive inventory of the entities and verify their legal basis.
It will also examine how government bodies obtain official recognition, budgetary consideration, correspondence privileges, office facilities and access to government systems.
The audit will further assess governance, procurement, internal audit and oversight mechanisms across the Federal Government.
According to the Presidency, the aim is to close systemic weaknesses that could allow irregular entities or individuals to gain access to public resources.
Tinubu demands independent audit
President Tinubu directed that the exercise be conducted with the highest standards of independence, professionalism and forensic integrity.
The audit team will have access to relevant government systems and records and will work with the ICPC to ensure that the exercise complements ongoing investigations, prosecutions and recoveries.
The President said the audit must go beyond identifying individual cases of fraud or administrative failure.
It is expected to strengthen the architecture of government, close systemic loopholes, improve data verification and reconciliation, reinforce accountability and ensure that only duly constituted entities and eligible personnel have access to government resources.
The Presidency said the exercise underscores Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, fiscal governance and institutional integrity across the Federal Government.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.