The ongoing screening of Delta State civil servants by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sparked fresh debate over transparency, accountability, and the long-standing problem of ghost workers in Nigeria’s public service.
Amid growing public scrutiny, the Delta State Government has moved to calm fears, insisting that the anti-graft agency’s presence is not a sign of wrongdoing but part of a nationwide investigation into payroll systems across government institutions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Asaba ahead of the 2026 Civil Service Week celebration, the Head of Service, Mrs. Mininim Oseji, disclosed that the EFCC initiated the exercise and formally requested access to payroll records and nominal rolls from selected Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Her remarks come as many observers question why one of the country’s most powerful anti-corruption agencies is conducting extensive verification exercises within the state’s workforce if there are truly no concerns about payroll irregularities.
According to Oseji, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori immediately approved the request and directed full cooperation with investigators, declaring that Delta State had “nothing to hide.”
“When the EFCC wrote requesting to screen some MDAs, I forwarded the letter to His Excellency and sought guidance. The governor instructed that we cooperate fully because Delta State has nothing to conceal,” she said.
In what appeared to be an attempt to demonstrate confidence in the process, Oseji revealed that even her office was subjected to scrutiny.
She said she personally presented her employment records, including her first appointment letter and other official documents, despite suggestions that she could be exempted from the exercise.
“As the number one civil servant in the state, I wanted to lead by example,” she stated.
While government officials insist that no irregularities have been discovered so far, the screening has nevertheless reignited public concerns about the possibility of inflated payrolls and ghost workers, an issue that has plagued several government institutions across Nigeria for years.
The Head of Service maintained that she has received regular updates from the exercise and that no adverse findings have been reported. She stressed that the verification process should be seen as a confidence-building measure rather than a punitive operation.
Beyond the EFCC investigation, Oseji also announced plans to improve workers’ welfare, revealing that proposals for an upward review of the state’s workers’ loan scheme have been submitted to the governor for approval.
She added that reforms have been introduced to make the loan process more transparent, including publishing beneficiaries’ names and expected payment dates to reduce complaints and allegations of favoritism.
The Head of Service further praised Governor Oborevwori for approving a N10 billion intervention in the state’s pension system, saying the move has significantly reduced delays faced by retirees seeking access to their benefits.
However, as the EFCC’s screening continues, many will be watching closely to see whether the exercise ultimately validates the government’s claims of transparency—or uncovers deeper questions about the management of the state’s payroll system.
