The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered 908 fake workers across several federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), in what it described as a major payroll fraud scheme.

The anti-graft agency disclosed that it recovered about ₦942 million linked to fraudulent salary payments made to the fictitious employees.

Chairman of the commission, Musa Aliyu, said the discovery followed an investigation launched in 2024 after irregularities were detected in pension payments.

Aliyu explained that fake workers are individuals whose names are fraudulently inserted into government payrolls despite not being legitimate employees. He added that the investigation revealed cases where some senior officials allegedly enrolled relatives and associates into the payroll system and diverted salaries for personal benefit.

He cited an instance where a suspect allegedly placed the names of his wife, son and mother-in-law on the payroll while also collecting salaries meant for 12 other workers.

According to the ICPC chairman, the probe affected at least 50 MDAs, with some institutions recording higher numbers of fake workers.

He listed the National Water Resources Authority with 80 fake workers, followed by the Federal Ministry of Works with 56. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recorded 24, while the Ministry of Defence had 19.

Others include the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment with 17 fake workers each, the Federal Ministry of Health with 15 and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation with 12.

Aliyu also noted that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Interior were among the affected agencies, although specific figures were not disclosed as investigations continue.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring accountability in public service.