, Osun State chapter.){kind=link}
A recent staff audit conducted for the Osun State Government in 2023 has raised concerns regarding the existence of over 500 alleged ghost workers on the state’s payroll, a claim that has been strongly denied by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State chapter.
The audit, carried out by a consulting firm between July and August 2023, involved the physical verification, biometric data capture, and credential submission of all civil servants and pensioners in the state.
The process began at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo before being extended to all nine federal constituencies in the state.
Despite initial objections from labor unions, who cited the negative impact of similar audits in the past, the verification exercise continued.
The audit report highlighted discrepancies in several ministries, departments, and institutions, with a significant number of employees reportedly drawing salaries without evidence of active service.
At the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, about 280 staff members, out of a total of just over 300, were listed as ‘ghost workers,’ including key figures like the Rector, Deputy Rector, Registrar, and Bursar.
One staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fears of retaliation, confirmed the startling figures: “Around 280 members of staff, including top administrators, were flagged as ghost workers.”
Similarly, the audit report for Osun State University, Osogbo, identified roughly 257 individuals, including over 100 professors, as either non-existent or lacking proper documentation.
In response to the findings, Christopher Arapasopo, the Osun State NLC Chairman, rejected the allegations, claiming there are no ghost workers in the state.
He stated, “The answer is simple – no ghost workers for now. We are still in the process of auditing.”
Efforts to get an official response from the Osun State government went unanswered. Calls to the Head of Service, Mr. Ayanleye Aina, were not returned, and his only response to a text message was, “Request noted.”