Kano Payroll Fraud: 240 Workers On Double Salary, 217 Share Same BVN

The Kano State Government has uncovered a massive payroll scandal involving hundreds of its civil servants. According to recent revelations, 240 workers have been receiving duplicate salaries, while 217 others are operating under identical Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), raising alarms about potential ghost workers and identity fraud within the system.

Dr. Sulaiman Wali Sani, the Special Adviser to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Civil Service Matters and Chairman of the State Coordinating Committee, announced these findings during a press conference held on Sunday in Kano. Representing the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sani disclosed that the discovery came after a thorough biometric verification exercise and detailed investigations by two specialized committees.

“These issues are part of inherited flaws in the payroll administration, which have long troubled the state’s financial system,” Sani stated. He further emphasized that the double salary draw and multiple identities through BVNs point to systemic fraud that the current administration is determined to eradicate.

The state’s commitment to reforming the civil service aligns with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s campaign promise to cleanse public institutions. According to Sani, the committees tasked with state and local government payroll verification played crucial roles in uncovering the discrepancies.

Additionally, 1,335 workers failed to participate in the six-month-long biometric verification process, sparking even more concerns regarding the authenticity of many individuals listed on the state’s payroll.

In a related development, Alhaji Umar Idi, Chairman of the Local Government Standing Committee, revealed that a recent audit identified 247 suspicious names within local government and primary healthcare sectors. These include retirees, deceased individuals, and employees whose tenures were unlawfully extended.

“Out of the 247 names flagged, only eight individuals came forward to verify their employment status,” Idi explained. “Consequently, 239 names have been recommended for deletion, leading to a potential monthly savings of ₦27,824,395 for the government.”

The government has reaffirmed its dedication to transparency, accountability, and the responsible management of public resources. Measures are being put in place to prevent future payroll anomalies and ensure a fair and efficient civil service.

For more information about the importance of biometric verification in civil service reforms, you can refer to this World Bank article on digital identity management