Some former Nigerian civil servants are still getting paid even though they left their jobs and moved to other countries. President Bola Tinubu recently ordered a crackdown on this, saying the culprits must pay back the money.
One such person, Sabitu Adams (name changed), left Nigeria two years ago and now works as a taxi driver in the UK. He still gets his Nigerian salary but isn’t worried about losing it because he earns more driving a taxi. He didn’t officially resign because he wanted the option to return to his job.
More than 3.6 million Nigerians have moved abroad in the past two years due to poor job prospects and the devaluation of the naira. This trend is called “japa,” meaning to escape.
President Tinubu was surprised to learn about employees relocating abroad while still getting paid. He wants the money repaid and those responsible punished. Adams said he kept getting paid because his boss, a relative, allowed him to leave without resigning.
“Ghost-working,” where non-existent workers get paid, is a big problem in Nigeria. Tinubu has pledged to cut government costs, but some people doubt his administration will take real action.
Credit: BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nnnx7ww4xo