The Federal Government has introduced tougher screening procedures for workers seeking entry into its payroll system following a rise in personnel expenditure to N1.96 trillion in the first quarter of 2026.
According to Punch, the new directive requires Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to establish the employment records of newly recruited staff before adding their names to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation introduced the measures to strengthen salary administration and prevent irregularities in government payroll records.
Under the revised procedure, government agencies must provide evidence of recruitment approval, appointment letters and any relevant employment waivers before requesting payroll registration. They must also submit employees’ pension information, including their Pension Fund Administrator details and identification numbers, alongside National Housing Fund registration and tax records.
The verification process also requires endorsements from the Accounting Officer, Director of Human Resources, Director of Finance and Accounts, and an appointed Payroll Validating Officer.
The Accountant-General must grant final approval before any newly recruited employee can receive a place on the federal payroll.
The government warned that missing documents, conflicting information or other irregularities could delay salary registration. Officials who disregard the prescribed procedures may also face disciplinary consequences.
Hoqever, the stricter requirements come amid growing government spending on personnel. Federal expenditure on salaries and related obligations climbed from N1.82 trillion in the first quarter of 2025 to N1.96 trillion in the corresponding period of 2026.
This represents an increase of N133.94 billion, or 7.35 per cent, within one year.
Government spending on infrastructure and other capital projects stood at N1.69 trillion during the same period, leaving personnel costs approximately N267 billion higher.
The financial report also showed that the Federal Government generated N5.08 trillion in revenue during the quarter, while personnel expenses accounted for 38.56 per cent of the amount.
Debt servicing consumed another N4.63 trillion, equivalent to 91.18 per cent of actual revenue, while the government’s fiscal deficit reached N4.69 trillion.
The tighter payroll screening signals a renewed effort to monitor federal salary payments and ensure that only properly documented employees enter the government’s payment system.
By Musekir Faisat OmolaraÂ
