Tinubu orders civil servants who relocated abroad and are still receiving salaries to refund the money."

Important Notice: Civil Servants Who Have Moved Abroad and Are Still Receiving Salaries Must Return the Money – Order from Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has mandated the return of salaries by civil servants who have relocated abroad while still receiving salaries without officially resigning. 

The directive was issued during the 2024 Civil Service Award and Gala Night, marking the end of the 2024 Civil Service Week. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu also called for the punishment of supervisors and heads of departments who facilitated this fraud.

 "During my recent visit to South Africa, I was informed of the week's events and was particularly struck by the disclosures made by the Head of the Civil Service about employees who had relocated abroad and were drawing salaries without having formally resigned," Tinubu stated. 

"It is encouraging that steps have been taken to address this issue, but it is crucial that those responsible are held accountable and make restitution. 

The offenders must return the funds they have wrongfully received. Their supervisors and department heads should also face consequences for enabling the fraud under their supervision.

 The Nigerian Civil Service should not be a place where 'anything goes,' where employees break rules without fear of punishment. The civil service is too vital for such malpractice to be allowed or go unchecked," he added.

 Tinubu described the Civil Service as the foundation, the driving force, and the powerhouse of the government, essential for delivering public services to the citizens. 

"Politicians like us are merely the operators of the machinery that you, the civil service, provide. It is often said that a nation's quality is reflected in its civil service, and this is not far from the truth. 

You are the permanent establishment that continues to steer government affairs even as we politicians come and go," he concluded.