The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has confirmed that some federal workers were overpaid in December 2024 due to a system error. This error, which led to excess payments, is now being corrected through deductions from the affected workers’ salaries.
In a statement released on Friday, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, the OAGF clarified that no shortfalls in salaries occurred in January and February 2025. Instead, it explained that the salaries paid during those months were normal, following the end of the payment of various arrears that had been issued in the last quarter of 2024.
The statement further explained that between October and December 2024, federal workers had received arrears for the minimum wage, 25 percent and 35 percent salary increases, and wage awards. These additional payments temporarily raised the salaries of some workers, leading them to believe that their salaries had been reduced when they received their normal pay in January and February 2025.
“Payment of normal salaries after exhausting the various arrears began in January 2025, which made some workers think that they were shortchanged when in actual sense, it was their real salaries,” the statement said. It added that workers could verify this by referring to the current salary table.
According to the OAGF, the salaries paid in January and February 2025 are set to remain unchanged unless there is a review by the Federal Government. This means that barring any future adjustments, workers can expect their salaries to remain the same unless further changes are announced.
The issue of overpayments was caused by a system error, which the OAGF confirmed has now been corrected. The overpaid amounts are being recovered through deductions from the salaries of the workers involved. These deductions will continue until the overpaid amounts have been fully recovered.
“There were cases of overpayments in December 2024 due to a system error,” the statement read. “The error has been corrected and deductions in respect of the overpayments from the salaries of affected workers are ongoing and shall continue until such overpayments are fully recovered.”
In addition to addressing the salary overpayment issue, the OAGF also clarified the process for handling promotion arrears. It stated that the payment of promotion arrears is managed by the Standing Committee on Promotion and Salary Arrears, which operates within the Budget Office of the Federation. This committee is responsible for compiling and verifying the salary and promotion arrears from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) before forwarding them to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for payment.
The OAGF revealed that the first six batches of promotion arrears have already been processed. However, further payments are still awaiting approval from the Budget Office. The federal government has stated its commitment to ensuring that all arrears are paid as soon as the necessary approvals are granted.
The OAGF also reaffirmed its commitment to efficient payroll management and urged federal workers to follow formal channels for addressing any salary-related concerns. It advised affected workers to report any genuine complaints about their pay so that they can be resolved quickly.
This situation has caused some confusion among workers, as many believed that the salaries paid in January and February were lower than expected. However, the explanation provided by the OAGF indicates that workers are receiving their correct salaries, and any reductions are related to the recovery of overpayments that occurred due to the system error in December 2024.
While the OAGF’s statement clarified that there were no salary shortfalls, it also highlighted the importance of transparency in payroll management. It is vital for federal workers to understand that the overpayment issue was not intentional and is being addressed in a systematic and responsible manner.
The OAGF’s clarification comes at a time when the government is under increasing pressure to ensure that salary payments to federal workers are accurate and timely. The overpayment incident, though unintentional, serves as a reminder of the challenges of managing such a large payroll system and the need for continuous monitoring and improvements to prevent future errors.
In the coming months, the OAGF is expected to continue working to resolve any remaining issues related to salary and promotion arrears. As the government navigates these challenges, it is essential for workers to remain patient and follow the proper channels for resolving any concerns they may have about their pay.
The OAGF has assured federal workers that it is fully committed to improving payroll management and resolving any outstanding issues promptly. However, it also urged workers to be vigilant and proactive in reporting any discrepancies in their pay.
This situation is likely to have a lasting impact on the relationship between the government and federal workers. It highlights the importance of communication and transparency in resolving issues related to salary payments, which are crucial for the welfare of public servants. As the deductions continue and the overpayments are fully recovered, the government will need to ensure that workers remain informed and reassured that their concerns are being addressed.
The Accountant General’s Office has stated that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take the necessary steps to ensure that such errors do not occur again in the future. As the government works to stabilize the payroll system, it is hoped that federal workers will see improvements in the management of their salaries and benefits.
