ABUJA, Nigeria — A sweeping investigation into employment racketeering in Nigeria has brought forth serious allegations of extortion against officials from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System, IPPIS.
Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, chairman of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee spearheading the investigation, stated on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, that these officials have purportedly refused to capture duly employed workers in the government payroll unless extorted.
Amid these allegations, Gagdi highlighted that the IPPIS has been accused of demanding a 10 per cent commission from agencies for recruitment.
He cited the failure of the agency to record some staff of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa, DTCA, as an example of this malpractice.
“We are emphasising this so that when we start to engage IPPIS, you will not think that we are joking,” Gagdi warned.
“Report to them so that when they are appearing before us, they will provide an explanation for all these.”
The discussion on employment practices also brought to light concerns about the employment “waiver” system.
Amb. Rabiu Dagari, director general of DTCA, opined that the government’s use of waivers for recruitment is a means to sidestep due process.
Dagari stated, “I am not in support of waiver because so much cutting corners are done when it comes to waiver. We are having so many problems in this country because we refuse to do the right thing, and waiver is an opportunity for people to cut corners.”
Dagari believes that waivers, which once played a lesser role, now hamper the government’s ability to employ qualified individuals in strategic positions.
He emphasized that waivers should be reserved for only the most exceptional circumstances.
The extensive probe continues to uncover layers of corruption and malpractice, shedding light on a system in need of reform and transparency.
As the committee advances its investigation, it remains to be seen what corrective measures will be taken to address these deeply entrenched issues.
