Niger State Government Orders Civil Servants to Refund Excess February Salaries or Face Sanctions

Niger State Government has directed civil servants who received excess salaries in February 2025 to refund the overpayments immediately or face severe consequences. The administration, in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), stated that the overpaid funds must be returned to maintain financial accountability and prevent future irregularities.

The government discovered that some workers received multiple salary payments while others did not receive theirs at all. This anomaly raised concerns about potential fraud or system inefficiencies within the salary disbursement process. To address the issue, the administration has launched a thorough audit to prevent recurrence.

Strict Deadline and Refund Procedures Announced

Niger State Government has set a strict deadline for affected workers to refund the overpaid amounts. Civil servants have until the end of March 2025 to make the necessary repayments, or they risk being sanctioned. The government has warned that non-compliance will result in the withholding of future salaries and potential disciplinary actions.

The administration has also detailed a structured refund process. Employees must deposit the excess funds into the Niger State Government Salary Account, with clear identification details, including their names and control numbers. Furthermore, a hard copy of the payment receipt must be submitted to the Treasury Unit of the Ministry of Finance for record-keeping.

Enforcement Measures to Ensure Compliance

Niger State Government has emphasized that this directive is not negotiable. It has instructed the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to enforce compliance by tracking repayments and taking swift action against defaulters. Officials who attempt to circumvent the process will also face disciplinary measures.

The government has assured civil servants that those who were underpaid or did not receive their salaries will be compensated accordingly. This step is meant to restore balance and ensure fairness in the state’s payroll system.

Sanctions for Defaulters and Potential Legal Actions

Niger State Government has made it clear that failure to refund the excess salaries will not be tolerated. Workers who refuse to comply will have their future salaries withheld, and persistent defaulters may face further disciplinary measures, including suspension or legal action.

The administration has also warned department heads and payroll officers to ensure full compliance. Any official found to have manipulated salary payments or ignored the refund directive will be investigated and penalized under the state’s financial misconduct laws.

Government’s Broader Plan for Financial Accountability

Niger State Government is using this incident as a stepping stone to strengthen its financial accountability framework. The administration has pledged to implement stricter payroll verification processes to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

To achieve this, the government plans to introduce biometric verification for civil servants, ensuring that salary payments are made accurately and to the rightful recipients. This initiative is part of broader reforms aimed at eliminating payroll fraud and enhancing transparency in public service salary administration.

Public Reactions and Government’s Justification

Niger State Government has defended its decision despite mixed reactions from civil servants and the public. While some workers have expressed concerns about the short refund deadline, the administration maintains that it is necessary to correct the financial imbalance caused by the overpayment.

The government has assured the public that the measures are in the state’s best interest and will ultimately lead to a more efficient and corruption-free civil service. Officials have urged affected workers to comply swiftly, emphasizing that failure to do so could result in severe repercussions.