Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has asserted that there are no “ghost workers” on the state’s payroll, but rather a problem with “improperly engaged staff.” He made the statement while speaking with journalists, providing clarification on the findings of an ongoing biometric verification exercise.
While similar exercises in other states have uncovered thousands of fraudulent names, Governor Kefas is distinguishing between non-existent workers and those who were employed through irregular or “backdoor” means. He explained that some civil servants, at the point of their retirement, engage their children or relatives, bypassing the official recruitment process. This, he said, denies qualified individuals with no connections the opportunity to get a job.
The governor’s claim, however, appears to be in contrast with previous reports from his own administration. In June 2025, the chairman of a staff verification committee in the state had confirmed the removal of about 7,000 “ghost workers” from the payroll.1 These individuals were found to have no genuine appointment letters and were illegally recruited.2
Despite the conflicting reports, the governor insists that the ongoing verification exercise is aimed at sanitizing the payroll, stopping wastage, and freeing up resources for genuine workers and retirees. He also noted that the exercise would help to clear pension liabilities and ensure that only those who are legitimately employed are paid.
