The Federal Government has introduced stricter verification requirements for newly recruited civil servants, directing that no employee should be enrolled on the federal payroll without completing mandatory documentation and eligibility checks.

The directive, which takes immediate effect, is part of reforms to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, aimed at preventing irregular payroll entries and strengthening accountability in government spending.

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa.

Under the new arrangement, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, are required to ensure that newly recruited employees are captured on their nominal rolls and satisfy all prescribed validation requirements before payroll enrolment.

The OAGF said applications for the enrolment of new employees must be accompanied by formal requests, recruitment approvals, appointment letters, applicable waivers and other supporting documents.

It explained that the verification process would cover employees’ personal records, salary structures, grade levels, steps, allowances and other financial entitlements.

The exercise will also involve checks on Pension Fund Administrator details, pension identification numbers, National Housing Fund registration and tax records to ensure accurate deductions and timely remittances.

According to the statement, verified records will be returned to the relevant ministries and agencies for further confirmation before final submission.

The Accounting Officer, Director of Human Resources, Director of Finance and Accounts, and designated Payroll Validating Officer are also required to endorse the records.

The Accountant-General of the Federation will, however, retain the final authority to approve the enrolment of newly recruited employees on the federal payroll.

The OAGF warned that applications with incomplete documentation or discrepancies would not be processed until the identified issues were resolved.

The Federal Government said the measures were aimed at ensuring that only properly recruited, documented and eligible personnel receive salaries from public funds.