Accountant-General blames salary shortfalls for delayed February pay
The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has explained that salary shortfalls within the personnel cost allocations of certain government agencies were responsible for the delay in the payment of February salaries to some federal workers.
The explanation followed concerns raised by employees across several ministries, departments and agencies who reported delays in receiving their February wages.
According to officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the delay occurred after discrepancies were discovered in personnel cost allocations affecting some agencies under the federal payroll system.
The development prompted immediate administrative adjustments before payments could proceed.
Government Begins Salary Payments
Despite the disruption, the Federal Government said payment of February salaries has now commenced for treasury-funded workers.
Officials confirmed that payments began after the payroll issues were resolved and the necessary adjustments were made within the system.
Earlier statements from the Office of the Accountant-General had attributed the delay to a technical hitch in the payroll processing system, assuring workers that the problem had been corrected and steps had been taken to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
The clarification came amid growing concern among federal workers, many of whom expected their February salaries to be credited before the end of the month as is normally the case.
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Workers Express Concern
The delay triggered strong reactions from organised labour groups representing federal employees.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, for example, warned that the delay in February salaries was placing financial pressure on workers and affecting morale across federal institutions.
The union said many workers rely on their monthly wages to meet essential obligations such as housing, transportation and family needs.
“This unfortunate delay has created serious financial strain for our members and their families,” SSANU said while calling on the government to resolve the issue quickly.
Labour leaders have repeatedly stressed that timely payment of salaries is essential to maintaining productivity and stability within the public service.
Payroll Systems Under Scrutiny
The delay has also revived debates about the efficiency of Nigeria’s public sector payroll systems.
Federal salaries are processed through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and other financial management platforms managed by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
These systems were introduced to improve transparency and eliminate payroll fraud such as ghost workers.
However, technical challenges and administrative bottlenecks have occasionally disrupted payment schedules.
Government officials say the recent delay was an isolated issue linked to personnel cost adjustments rather than a structural breakdown in the payroll system.
Rising Personnel Costs
Nigeria’s personnel expenditure has increased significantly in recent years due to policy changes affecting public sector wages.
One major factor is the implementation of the new national minimum wage, which has raised salary obligations for federal and state governments.
In addition, the Federal Government introduced a temporary wage award of ₦35,000 per month to cushion the impact of economic reforms and rising living costs on civil servants.
These wage adjustments have increased pressure on government payroll systems and budget allocations.
Officials say ensuring accurate personnel cost allocations for each ministry and agency remains critical to preventing future salary disruptions.
Government Promises Improved Payroll Management
In response to the controversy surrounding the February salary delay, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation said measures have been introduced to strengthen payroll monitoring. Accountant-General blames salary shortfalls for delayed February pay
According to officials, the government is reviewing personnel cost structures across ministries and agencies to ensure that payroll allocations match actual staff strength and salary obligations.
Authorities also emphasised that improved oversight and digital monitoring will help prevent discrepancies that could delay payments in the future.
A Sensitive Issue for Public Workers
Salary delays remain one of the most sensitive issues affecting Nigeria’s public service.
For many civil servants, monthly wages represent their primary source of income, making any delay particularly difficult.
Economists note that timely payment of salaries is also important for the broader economy, as public sector wages contribute to household spending and economic activity.
For now, the Federal Government maintains that the February delay was temporary and has been resolved.
But the episode has once again highlighted the importance of efficient payroll management within Nigeria’s public sector.
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