FG Closes Audit, Orders Salary Suspension For Defaulters
THE Federal Government has issued a firm deadline to civil servants yet to complete the ongoing Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis (PASGA), warning that salaries of defaulters will be suspended from March 2026.
The directive, conveyed in a memo signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, signals the final phase of the audit exercise initiated in 2025.
Strengthening Payroll Integrity
The PASGA project was introduced following a reform directive by President Bola Tinubu to ensure that “the right people with the right competencies” occupy positions within the Federal Civil Service.
Beyond assessing skills gaps, the exercise is designed to eliminate irregularities on the federal payroll, including unverified and fictitious personnel.
Although the audit began last year, authorities noted that some officers have yet to complete the required physical verification and online assessment.
To address this, the Office of the Head of Service has approved a final two-week window from 16 to 27 February 2026, for outstanding cases to be resolved in Abuja.
Consequences for Defaulters
Officials emphasised that completion of PASGA requires participation in both the physical verification and the skills gap assessment. Officers who fail to comply within the deadline will be classified as non-compliant.
Their salaries will be stopped beginning March 2026, and they may face administrative procedures that could result in dismissal in line with Public Service Rules.
Addressing Ghost Worker Concerns
The decision follows persistent concerns about payroll fraud within the civil service, including cases of individuals living abroad for extended periods while still receiving government salaries.
Authorities have described such practices as a drain on public finances and a distortion of manpower planning.
By closing the audit decisively, the government says it aims to enhance accountability, strengthen establishment control and ensure fiscal discipline within the public service.
