President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that civil servants who collected salaries while living abroad without officially resigning must reimburse those wages.
Tinubu made the statement during the 2024 Civil Service Award and Gala Night, which marked the end of the 2024 Civil Service Week in Abuja.
According to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, some employees had relocated abroad while continuing to draw salaries without officially resigning.
President Tinubu called for accountability and restitution, stating that civil servants who fraudulently collected salaries must repay the money. He also said their supervisors should be punished for enabling the fraud.
Tinubu emphasized the crucial role of the civil service as the foundation and engine of government, essential for delivering public services. He stressed that misconduct cannot be tolerated, saying “The civil service of any nation is too important for such misconduct to take root or be tolerated.”
The President underscored that the civil service cannot become a place “where anything goes” and where employees break rules without fear of consequences. He called for holding those responsible accountable and ensuring restitution is made.