FG Uncovered 45,000 Ghost Workers Through BVN Integration

Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has revealed how the Federal Government uncovered over 45,000 ghost workers by integrating the Bank Verification Number (BVN) into the federal payroll system.

Speaking at the Citadel School of Government Dialogue Series in Lagos, Adeosun explained that the government’s payroll was previously its largest expense—plagued by inefficiencies and fraud that earlier biometric reforms failed to address.

According to her, resistance from key institutions, particularly paramilitary bodies like the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army, stalled earlier efforts to clean up the system through centralized biometric verification.

To bypass this challenge, her team leveraged existing BVN data rather than introducing new biometric processes.

“The payroll was our biggest cost. Previous biometric efforts had stalled because paramilitary groups refused to cooperate. We bypassed this by using BVN data… and found 45,000 ‘ghost workers,’” Adeosun said.

She clarified that the term “ghost workers” often reflected systemic inefficiencies and individual misconduct rather than coordinated criminal networks.

“In many cases, it wasn’t a ‘ghost,’ but one person’s BVN linked to multiple salaries. Sometimes it was simply people who had died or transferred but were still being paid,” she added.

To sustain the reform, Adeosun introduced accountability measures requiring Permanent Secretaries to personally verify and sign off on payrolls, ensuring traceability and responsibility across ministries.

Beyond the discovery, she emphasized the importance of data-driven governance, urging public officials to rely on evidence when defending policies.

“If you come armed with data and graphs, you can take on anybody. Data is hard to argue with,” she noted.

The event also featured Tunde Bakare and Mike Adebamowo, who echoed the need for innovation in governance. Adeosun encouraged leaders to embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, while maintaining strong execution discipline.

“Technology gives you the tools, but leadership delivers the results,” she said.

Bakare commended Adeosun’s resilience and integrity in public service, noting that her return to public discourse without corruption allegations strengthened trust in governance.

The dialogue concluded with a consensus that while the discovery of 45,000 ghost workers marked a significant fiscal victory, such reforms must be institutionalized through legislation to ensure continuity across administrations. By Folarin Adeyemi Aluko