The directive was formally communicated through an official memorandum issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, signed by Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and addressed to Tunji Olaopa, Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission. The PASGA exercise, initiated in 2025 under the directive of President Bola Tinubu during the International Civil Service Week, aims to enhance efficiency, competence, and integrity across all ministries, departments, and agencies. By conducting a thorough audit of personnel and assessing skill gaps, the government seeks to address long-standing issues such as ghost workers, unauthorized absences, and payroll fraud.
A final two-week grace period has been approved for officers who have yet to complete either the physical verification or the online skills assessment component of the exercise. The physical verification is scheduled to take place from February 16 to February 27, 2026, at designated venues in Abuja, including Atiku Hall and Afolabi Hall within the Office of the Head of the Civil Service complex. The government has emphasized that this will be the last opportunity for compliance, with no further extensions granted beyond the stipulated deadline.
The memo explicitly stated that full participation in both the Personnel Audit (physical verification) and the Skills Gap Analysis (online assessment) is mandatory for all federal civil servants. Officers who fail to meet these requirements by the deadline will be classified as non-compliant and subsequently removed from the federal payroll starting in March 2026. The directive underscores the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, noting that the continued payment of unverified employees constitutes a misuse of public funds and undermines workforce planning efforts.
Beyond salary suspension, affected officers may face additional administrative consequences, including potential termination of employment in accordance with the Public Service Rules. This move is part of a broader strategy to modernize the civil service, ensuring that only duly verified and qualified personnel remain on the payroll. Over the years, investigations have revealed numerous cases of individuals who relocated abroad or took up private employment without formal resignation, yet continued to receive salaries. Such practices have been identified as a significant drain on national resources, prompting the government to adopt stricter measures.
The PASGA initiative represents a critical step toward institutional reform, aligning with the administration’s goals of promoting accountability and operational efficiency in the public sector. As the exercise enters its final phase, the Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to uphold the highest standards of integrity, signaling a zero-tolerance policy for non-compliance. The successful implementation of this audit is expected to yield substantial savings for the national treasury while fostering a culture of professionalism and diligence among civil servants.
The decision to suspend salaries of unverified workers has been met with mixed reactions. While some stakeholders applaud the government’s efforts to curb corruption and streamline the civil service, others have raised concerns about potential administrative bottlenecks and the need for adequate communication to ensure all employees are aware of the requirements. Nonetheless, the government remains steadfast in its position, emphasizing that the PASGA exercise is a necessary intervention to restore public trust and ensure the optimal use of taxpayer funds.
In the coming weeks, federal ministries, departments, and agencies are expected to intensify awareness campaigns to ensure all affected officers take advantage of the final verification window. The Office of the Head of the Civil Service has also pledged to provide necessary support to facilitate a smooth and efficient process. As the deadline approaches, the focus remains on achieving full compliance, thereby paving the way for a more transparent and accountable civil service system in Nigeria.
This development underscores the government’s broader agenda of institutional reform, which includes digitizing payroll systems, enhancing workforce productivity, and eliminating fraudulent practices. By enforcing strict verification protocols, the administration aims to create a leaner, more efficient civil service capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. The success of the PASGA initiative could serve as a model for other sectors, reinforcing the importance of accountability in public service management.
As Nigeria continues its journey toward sustainable development, initiatives like PASGA highlight the critical role of governance in driving systemic change. The suspension of salaries for unverified workers is not merely a punitive measure but a strategic intervention to safeguard public resources and ensure that the civil service operates with the highest degree of integrity. The coming months will be pivotal in determining the long-term impact of this policy on Nigeria’s public administration landscape.
