The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a fresh nationwide civil service verification exercise aimed at cleaning up personnel records, removing ghost workers, and improving transparency within the public sector. The exercise is scheduled to run from October 16 to November 14, 2025, covering all federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), including foreign missions.
Aimed at Restoring Integrity in Public Service
The verification initiative, coordinated by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), seeks to ensure that only properly verified and qualified individuals remain on the federal payroll. It will also help identify skills gaps and assess workforce distribution across agencies. The government has partnered with consulting and human resource management firms, such as Philips Consulting, to conduct the exercise.
According to the OHCSF, the process will include the validation of employee records, academic qualifications, appointment letters, and biometric data. Federal workers will be required to appear for screening with relevant documents and identification to confirm their employment status.
Warnings and Previous Non-Compliance
This nationwide exercise follows an earlier phase in which the government warned 3,598 federal workers who failed to complete previous verification rounds that they risked dismissal. A re-verification opportunity was provided between August 18 and 28, but officials stressed that continued non-compliance could lead to termination of employment.
The Head of the Civil Service, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, noted that the verification effort is part of broader civil service reforms designed to enhance professionalism, data integrity, and efficiency across the public sector.
Committees on Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis
In August 2025, the Federal Government inaugurated several committees tasked with conducting personnel audits and analysing skills gaps within the civil service. These committees will work alongside the verification teams to determine the optimal workforce size and address redundancy or underemployment in certain departments.
“This process will not only eliminate payroll fraud but also ensure that each ministry and agency has the right number of skilled personnel to deliver quality public service,” Dr. Yemi-Esan stated.
Credential Controversies Highlight Urgency
The verification exercise comes amid growing public debate over the authenticity of credentials among government officials. Recently, Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Science and Technology, resigned following allegations of certificate forgery and irregularities in his credentials. The case has intensified calls for greater scrutiny and accountability within the civil service.
Challenges Ahead
While the initiative has been widely praised, challenges persist. Issues such as incomplete personnel records, unreliable data systems, and reluctance from some workers may slow the process. However, government officials insist that the verification will proceed nationwide without exception.
Building a Modern Civil Service
Experts believe the outcome of this exercise will serve as a foundation for Nigeria’s broader public sector reform agenda. Verified and reliable data will enable the government to plan recruitment, training, and promotions based on accurate information, ensuring a more efficient and accountable civil service.
As the exercise begins, attention now turns to how effectively the government will manage implementation — and whether this long-awaited reform will finally deliver the transparency Nigerians have been demanding in their public institutions.