The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered 908 fake workers across no fewer than 50 federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

It also recovered about N942 million allegedly siphoned through fraudulent salary payments.

ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, disclosed the findings, saying the investigation was launched in 2024 after the commission detected irregularities in pension payments.

According to Aliyu, the probe exposed a widespread payroll fraud scheme in which senior public officials allegedly inserted the names of relatives and associates into government payrolls and diverted their salaries for personal gain.

He revealed that investigators uncovered a case involving a suspect who enrolled his wife, son and mother-in-law on the government payroll while also collecting the salaries of 12 other fictitious workers.

The ICPC described fake workers as individuals whose names are fraudulently inserted into government payrolls despite not being legitimate employees.

Among the affected institutions, the Nigeria Police Force recorded the highest number of suspected fake workers with 570, followed by the National Water Resources Authority with 80 and the Federal Ministry of Works with 56.

Other affected agencies include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with 24 fake workers, the Ministry of Defence with 19, the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment with 17 each.

The Federal Ministry of Health also had 15, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation with 12.

Aliyu added that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Interior were also affected, although the number of suspected fake workers in those institutions was not disclosed as investigations are ongoing.

The ICPC said the recovery of approximately N942 million represents part of its efforts to curb payroll fraud and ensure accountability in the management of public funds.