President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has addressed a pressing issue in the civil service, emphasizing the need for accountability and restitution.
Speaking at the 2024 Civil Service Award and Gala Night, he stressed that civil servants who relocated abroad without formally resigning must refund the salaries they received during that period.
The President’s statement comes after the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation revealed that measures have been taken to address the issue of employees receiving salaries while living abroad without formal resignation.
Tinubu emphasized the importance of holding responsible parties accountable and ensuring restitution is made.
“The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected,” he said.
“Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch.” The President’s stance is aimed at maintaining the integrity of the civil service, which he described as the “bedrock, engine, and locomotive of government.”
Tinubu emphasized that the civil service is essential for delivering public goods to citizens and that politicians are merely “drivers of the locomotives” provided by the civil service.
He stressed that the civil service cannot tolerate misconduct and that rules must be respected.
The President’s words underscore his commitment to reforming the civil service and ensuring that it operates with transparency and accountability.
His administration’s efforts aim to restore public trust and promote a culture of responsibility within the civil service.
As the government moves forward with these measures, it is clear that President Tinubu is dedicated to creating a more efficient and effective civil service that serves the nation and its citizens with integrity.
