The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has started re-engineering payroll processes under the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to improve accountability, transparency, and efficiency in managing personnel records and the Federal Government payroll. This move aims to ensure accurate and timely payment of salaries to federal government employees. The OAGF spokesperson, Bawa Mokwa, announced the new arrangement in a statement on Monday.
Under the new rules, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will assume greater responsibility for managing and accounting for their personnel budgets and nominal rolls. This change is designed to promote efficiency and reduce errors in payroll management. MDAs will be required to formally submit requests for payroll admission to the OAGF, accompanied by relevant recruitment approvals, appointment letters, and other supporting documents.
A strengthened validation process has been introduced for admitting newly recruited employees into the Federal Government payroll. No newly recruited employee will be enrolled without first being captured on the nominal roll of the relevant MDA and meeting all prescribed validation and eligibility requirements. This process will help prevent unauthorized entries into the payroll system and ensure that only eligible employees receive salaries.
The validation process will cover statutory details, including Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) information, pension identification numbers, National Housing Fund (NHF) registration, and tax records. These details will ensure accurate deductions and timely remittances. Employee records, salary structures, grade levels, steps, allowances, and other financial entitlements will undergo thorough verification to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Following the initial validation by the OAGF, 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. This multi-step verification process will help prevent errors and ensure that only eligible employees are admitted into the payroll system.
The OAGF has directed all Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies, and other relevant officers to ensure strict compliance with the new requirements. Any employee record with incomplete documentation or unresolved discrepancies will be deferred from payroll admission until all prescribed conditions are fulfilled. Officers responsible for processing and approving payroll admissions will 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 for newly recruited Federal Government employees. The OAGF aims to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in payroll management through these new rules. The implementation of the new IPPIS rules is expected to improve the overall management of personnel records and payroll processes in the Federal Government.
Key points
- The OAGF has introduced a strengthened validation process for admitting newly recruited employees into the Federal Government payroll.
- MDAs will assume greater responsibility for managing and accounting for their personnel budgets and nominal rolls under the new arrangement.
- The new directive takes immediate effect and applies to all ongoing and subsequent payroll admission processes for newly recruited Federal Government employees.
