The names of 1,618 workers found to possess illegal and counterfeit employment letters has been deleted from the Integration Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) in the last one year, it has been learnt.

Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, stated this during a media parley as part of activities to mark the 2024 Civil Service Week.

According to her, thorough physical verifications by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have reduced the previously inflated civil service workforce from over 100,000 to a verified count of 69,308 currently on the payroll.

Addressing the issue of corruption within the public service, Yemi-Esan emphasised collaborative efforts with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to eradicate malpractice. She underscored the implementation of welfare initiatives, such as low-interest housing schemes, aimed at reducing incentives for corrupt activities among civil servants.

She said: “We work closely with ICPC and EFCC to curb corruption. We try to divert attention of civil servants from corrupt practices by providing welfare packages like housing schemes with a single digit interest rate loans. These welfare packages have helped to reduce temptation for civil servants to engage in corruption.”

The Head of Service also noted the successful deployment of a whistleblower scheme, encouraging individuals to report corruption anonymously through online platforms or directly to the OHCSF. She added that the ongoing digital transformation will ensure all MDAs migrate fully to digital processes by the end of 2025.

The House of Representatives promised that the House remains committed to enhancing the welfare of workers and promoting policies that support their professional development and career advancement.

In its message to mark the 2024 Civil Service Week, Spokesman of the House, Akintunde Rotimi, said the House is committed to ensuring a new living wage that reflects current economic realities. He said the House will also continue to support initiatives that foster a culture of meritocracy, continuous learning, and innovation in the civil service.

The message reads: “This celebration also acknowledges the critical role that civil servants play as the engine room and institutional memory of government, ensuring the continuity and efficiency of public administration and providing the backbone for policy implementation and national development.

“The theme of this year’s Civil Service Week, ‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa’, underscores the critical role of education in shaping the future of our continent.

“In line with this, the House remains committed to enhancing the welfare of workers, promoting policies that support their professional development and career advancement, and ensuring a new living wage that reflects current economic realities…”