The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has announced that federal workers will face salary deductions to recover overpayments made in December 2024 due to a system error. In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, the OAGF explained that the overpayments are being recovered through deductions from the salaries of affected workers.
The OAGF clarified that there were no shortfalls in salaries paid to federal workers in January and February 2025. Instead, the amounts received during this period reflected normal salaries after the exhaustion of various arrears paid in the last quarter of 2024. These arrears included payments for the minimum wage, 25% and 35% salary increases, and wage awards, which had temporarily inflated salaries.
Workers’ Misconceptions Addressed
The statement noted that some workers mistakenly believed their January and February salaries had been reduced due to the cessation of additional payments. The OAGF emphasized that the amounts paid in these months represented their actual salaries, not reductions.
“Payment of normal salaries after exhausting the various arrears began in January 2025, which made some workers think that they were shortchanged when in actual sense, it was their real salaries. A glance at the current salary table will substantiate this further,” the statement read.
The OAGF assured workers that, barring any future salary adjustments, the salaries paid in January and February 2025 would remain unchanged until a review by the Federal Government.
Recovery of December 2024 Overpayments
The OAGF confirmed that a system error in December 2024 led to overpayments to some workers. The error has since been corrected, and deductions are ongoing to recover the excess funds.
“There were cases of overpayments in December 2024 due to a system error. The error has been corrected, and deductions in respect of the overpayments from the salaries of affected workers are ongoing and shall continue until such overpayments are fully recovered,” the statement explained.
Promotion Arrears Payment Process
Regarding the payment of promotion arrears, the OAGF outlined the process managed by the Standing Committee on Promotion and Salary Arrears in the Budget Office of the Federation. The committee compiles and vets salary and promotion arrears from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) before forwarding them to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for payment.
The OAGF confirmed that batches 1 to 6 of the promotion arrears payments have been fully processed, with further payments awaiting approval from the Budget Office.
Implications for Federal Workers
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among federal workers, with some expressing frustration over the deductions while others appreciate the transparency in addressing the issue. The recovery of overpayments highlights the challenges of managing payroll systems in a large and complex bureaucracy, particularly during periods of salary adjustments and arrears payments.
The OAGF’s statement underscores the importance of accurate payroll management and the need for clear communication to avoid misunderstandings among workers. It also reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring financial accountability and correcting errors in salary payments.
Looking Ahead
As the deductions continue, affected workers are urged to review their pay slips and seek clarification from their respective MDAs if necessary. The OAGF has pledged to maintain transparency in its operations and ensure that all salary-related issues are resolved promptly.
The situation also highlights the need for ongoing improvements in payroll systems to prevent similar errors in the future and ensure that workers receive accurate and timely payments.
