Nigeria’s Security Challenges Remain Fundamentally Domestic – Ojo.

Barrister Olalekan F. Ojo, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, sheds light on the alleged corruption involving ghost workers in Osun State. He attributes the issue to deeper institutional weaknesses, such as outdated payroll systems and poor internal audit mechanisms. The dispute between the Osun State government and the consulting firm auditing the state's accounts is seen as a governance issue, requiring transparency and institutional correction.

Ojo suggests the government's disagreement with the consultant might be a deflection tactic, emphasizing the need for accountability and corrective action. He notes that disagreements following audits

The Osun State government and Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited are at odds over a staff audit report that allegedly uncovered 8,452 ghost workers, worth N13.7 billion annually. The consulting firm claims to have conducted a comprehensive forensic audit, verifying staff and pensioners, but the government disputes the findings, stating that only 1,316 workers were actually unverified .

The government alleges that Sally Tibbot inflated the numbers to maximize profits, while the firm denies these claims, stating that their report was thorough and accurate. The Osun State APC reps caucus has demanded an investigation into the alleged payroll fraud, citing concerns over transparency and accountability .

Some affected workers, including university staff, are planning to take Sally Tibbot to court for declaring them ghost workers, damaging their reputations. The Osun State University has demanded a formal apology from the consulting firm, threatening legal action if not met .