OAGF re-engineers IPPIS payroll, introduces stricter validation for newly recruited workers

By Onu Okorie

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has commenced the re-engineering of payroll processes under the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), introducing stricter validation requirements for the enrolment of newly recruited Federal Government employees.
The statement was signed by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The initiative, according to the Office, is aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency and efficiency in the management of personnel records and the Federal Government payroll.
Under the new arrangement, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as budget owners, are expected to assume greater responsibility for managing and accounting for their personnel budgets and nominal rolls.
The OAGF explained that, henceforth, no newly recruited employee would be enrolled on the Federal Government payroll without first being captured on the nominal roll of the relevant MDA and meeting all prescribed validation and eligibility requirements.
It stated that MDAs must formally submit requests for payroll admission to the Office, alongside relevant recruitment approvals, appointment letters, applicable waivers and other supporting documents.
The documents, together with employees’ records, salary structures, grade levels, steps, allowances and other financial entitlements, will be subjected to thorough verification before approval.
The validation exercise will also cover statutory information, including Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) details, pension identification numbers, National Housing Fund (NHF) registration and tax records to ensure accurate deductions and timely remittances.
According to the OAGF, following the initial verification, employee records will be forwarded to the relevant MDA for confirmation and endorsement by the Accounting Officer, Director of Human Resources, Director of Finance and Accounts, and designated Payroll Validating Officer.
The endorsed records will subsequently be returned to the OAGF for final processing.
It emphasised that final admission into the Federal Government payroll would depend on the successful completion of all validation procedures and approval by the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The Office has consequently directed all Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies and other relevant officers to ensure strict compliance with the new requirements.
It warned that employee records with incomplete documentation or unresolved discrepancies would be deferred from payroll admission until all prescribed conditions were met.
The OAGF also cautioned that officers responsible for processing and approving payroll admissions would be held accountable for any breach of the applicable rules and regulations.
The new directive takes immediate effect and applies to all ongoing and subsequent payroll admission processes involving newly recruited Federal Government employees.