The federal government has directed stakeholders to review the implementation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and develop measures that will improve efficiency, transparency and accountability in public payroll administration.

The call was made during the opening of a three-day retreat on the implementation of IPPIS held in Abuja.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), the retreat was organised to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the platform and strengthen collaboration among institutions involved in payroll administration.

The statement, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, quoted the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, as saying the retreat was designed to critically examine the implementation of IPPIS and identify ways of building a more reliable payroll management system for the federal public service.

Ogunjimi explained that the retreat would also review the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with the implementation of IPPIS, while encouraging stronger cooperation among stakeholders.

“While we acknowledge the significant progress made so far, we are equally mindful of the challenges encountered during implementation, including gaps among users,” he said.

The Accountant-General noted that the initiative aligns with the core objectives of IPPIS, particularly the centralisation of federal government personnel records and improvements in administrative and pension-related processes.

He urged participants at the retreat to take advantage of the discussions and contribute practical ideas that would help transform IPPIS into a more dependable payroll management platform in the Nigerian public service.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, described the retreat as important and timely.

According to him, the programme provides an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the implementation of the system, assess progress made so far and identify areas that require improvement.

Oyedele said IPPIS remains one of the most important public sector reform initiatives introduced by the federal government.

He stated that the platform has helped reduce leakages in government payroll, eliminated many cases of ghost workers, improved the integrity of personnel data and strengthened fiscal discipline in the management of public funds.

The minister added that the federal government remains committed to strengthening public financial management reforms through digital transformation and transparency.

In her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, said the retreat goes beyond a routine technical exercise and represents a strategic effort to strengthen the connection between accurate personnel records and payroll credibility.

She explained that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the federal civil service is undergoing major reforms aimed at improving efficiency, productivity, transparency, digitalisation, performance and staff welfare.

According to her, IPPIS plays a vital role in the ongoing transformation because no modern civil service can function effectively without accurate personnel data and a reliable payroll system.

“Every officer involved in IPPIS must therefore understand the weight of the responsibility placed upon them. You are not merely processing data. You are protecting public funds, safeguarding the credibility of government records, supporting the welfare of civil servants, and contributing to the national reform agenda,” she said.

Walson-Jack stated that the federal government is working towards building a fully integrated personnel management system that will cover the entire career cycle of public servants, from recruitment into the service to retirement.

She explained that achieving this goal would require stronger collaboration among institutions connected to the IPPIS system, timely updates of personnel data, clearer procedures and shared responsibility among stakeholders.

The Head of Service urged participants to engage actively during the retreat, share their experiences openly, identify operational challenges clearly and propose practical solutions.

She said discussions at the retreat should move beyond complaints and produce measurable and implementable outcomes capable of improving the system.

According to her, the retreat demonstrates the federal government’s continued commitment to using technology-driven reforms to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in public service delivery.

IPPIS. (The Nation)