Kano Uncovers Anomaly in LGs Payroll, Recovers ₦28m in March

Hussaini Kafi in Kano

The Kano State Government has uncovered irregularities in the payroll system of local government councils, as no fewer than 247 staff members were discovered to have either retired from service or died, AHR gathered.

The discovery revealed that the names of the affected local government staff had been appearing on the payroll, with their salaries still being paid.

These fraudulent salary payments amounted to N27,824,395.40 for the month of March 2025 alone.

This revelation is contained in a statement by Musa Tanko Muhammad, the Press Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, a copy of which was made available to The AHR on Saturday.

“In a decisive move towards cleansing the state payroll, the Kano State Government has recorded a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to reform the salary administration system within the state civil service.

“Arising from the validation exercise, a disturbing irregularity was uncovered within the payroll system of Local Government Councils.

“The findings revealed that 247 individuals had either retired from service or died, yet continued to appear on the payroll and receive salaries. These fraudulent salary payments amounted to N27,824,395.40 for the month of March 2025 alone.

“In a prompt and effective response, and while further due diligence is being conducted to determine the extent of this apparent fraud and identify the perpetrators, the amount has been recovered and returned to the Local Government Treasury,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the significant recovery underscores the administration’s unwavering dedication to entrenching good governance, transparency, and responsible management of public resources.

“The government remains resolute in its commitment to purging the payroll system of irregularities. Individuals found to be involved in this fraudulent activity will be identified and held fully accountable in accordance with the law,” the statement added.