Following a thorough audit of the March 2025 payroll, the Kano State Government has successfully reclaimed ₦27,824,395.40 in fraudulent salary payments made to 247 workers who had either retired or passed away. This recovery represents a key achievement in the state’s ongoing payroll reform efforts.

The discovery was made as part of a broader initiative under the leadership of Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration. Musa Tanko Muhammad, Press Secretary to the Secretary to the State Government, revealed that despite no longer being in service, the names of these individuals remained on the payroll of Local Government Councils, resulting in the continued payment of their salaries.

To address this issue, the government had set up a Pay Parade Committee tasked with validating the March payroll. Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and Local Government Councils were asked to review the payrolls for discrepancies, leading to the uncovering of these irregularities.

"In a decisive move to reform the State Payroll, the Kano State Government has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to improve salary administration within the civil service," the statement read.

While investigations are still ongoing to determine the full extent of the fraud and identify those responsible, the recovered funds have already been returned to the Local Government Treasury.

This successful recovery underscores the administration’s commitment to transparency, responsible management of public funds, and the elimination of corruption. It sets a strong precedent for future reforms, highlighting the importance of regular audits and strict oversight in preventing fraud and ensuring the proper use of public resources.

The Pay Parade Committee is scheduled to commence its full operations on Monday, April 28, 2025, and is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining accountability and improving governance across the state.

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