FG Moves to Strengthen IPPIS for Enhanced Payroll Accountability
By Patience Ikpeme
The Federal Government has directed a comprehensive review of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), tasking stakeholders to develop a roadmap that ensures greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the management of public funds.
The directive was issued by the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, during the commencement of a three-day strategic retreat in Abuja. The session, organized by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), focuses on evaluating the current status of the payroll platform and addressing technical gaps.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, the Accountant-General noted that the retreat provides a critical platform for participants to assess the system’s performance and formulate measures to strengthen payroll management.
“While we acknowledge the significant progress made so far, we are equally mindful of the challenges encountered during implementation, including gaps among users,” Dr. Ogunjimi stated.
He explained that the initiative is designed to review the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of the system while fostering a sense of unity among those responsible for its operation. According to him, the ultimate goal is to align the platform with the government’s objective of centralizing personnel records and improving pension-related processes.
“Every participant must maximize this opportunity and contribute meaningfully toward making IPPIS the most reliable payroll management system in the Nigerian Public Service,” he added.
Supporting this stance, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, described the gathering as a vital moment for reflection and evaluation. He noted that the payroll system remains one of the nation’s most successful public sector reforms, having effectively minimized leakages and the presence of “ghost workers” in the civil service.
“The Federal Government remains committed to deepening public financial management reforms through digital transformation and transparency,” Oyedele said, adding that the platform has been instrumental in strengthening personnel data integrity and fiscal discipline.
Adding a perspective on human resources, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, argued that the retreat is a strategic necessity rather than a mere technical exercise. She pointed out that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, the civil service is moving toward a total digital transformation.
“IPPIS has a central role to play in this transformation because no modern Civil Service can function effectively without accurate personnel data and a credible payroll system,” Dr. Walson-Jack said.
She reminded those managing the platform that they carry a heavy burden of trust on behalf of the Nigerian people.
“Every officer involved in IPPIS must understand the weight of the responsibility placed upon them. You are not merely processing data; you are protecting public funds, safeguarding the credibility of government records, supporting the welfare of Civil Servants, and contributing to the national reforms agenda,” she said.
The Head of Service urged the participants to be candid about existing bottlenecks and to propose bold solutions. She stated that the goal is to build a fully integrated system that manages the entire employee life cycle, from recruitment to retirement.
“Let the discussion go beyond complaints and produce actions. The communique from this retreat should be practical, measurable, and implementable,” she concluded.
