![[Nigeria] Nurses and midwives’ union issues warning over outdated payroll systems](http://gpa.net/cdn/shop/articles/bigstock-Midwife-looking-at-a-sonogram-268651741_6bcb5cc2-a1dc-4cc7-b912-304c023d2f97_1200x.jpg?v=1779166851)
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has issued a warning that an alleged “ghost worker” practice is severely distorting staffing data across the health sector, Per Second News reports.
The administrators of some health institutions are facing allegations of payroll fraud for allegedly retaining the names of migrated nurses on their books to siphon government funds.
Addressing the 2026 International Nurses Day in Abuja on May 12, NANNM Deputy National President, Comrade Obasi Bornless, reportedly condemned the trend as a symptom of failing administrative oversight.
Mr Bornless alleged that personnel who have long since moved abroad continue to be included in official payrolls, and even recommended for promotions.
“Even those that have travelled long ago, their names still reappear during promotions, meaning they are not replaced. They are there as ghost workers while managements keep collecting their salaries,” he said.
He reportedly called for urgent reforms to sanitise the system and ensure proper replacement of departed health workers in line with genuine staffing needs.
In addition, the Deputy National President emphasised the need for fair recruitment practices and stronger accountability in payroll management across health institutions.
He stated that, while training institutions continue to produce qualified nurses annually, poor coordination in recruitment and deployment remains a major challenge in the sector.
He reportedly urged the government to strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure that available health workers are properly absorbed into the system to improve service delivery.
Source: Per Second News
(Quote via original reporting)
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has issued a warning that an alleged “ghost worker” practice is severely distorting staffing data across the health sector, Per Second News reports.
The administrators of some health institutions are facing allegations of payroll fraud for allegedly retaining the names of migrated nurses on their books to siphon government funds.
Addressing the 2026 International Nurses Day in Abuja on May 12, NANNM Deputy National President, Comrade Obasi Bornless, reportedly condemned the trend as a symptom of failing administrative oversight.
Mr Bornless alleged that personnel who have long since moved abroad continue to be included in official payrolls, and even recommended for promotions.
“Even those that have travelled long ago, their names still reappear during promotions, meaning they are not replaced. They are there as ghost workers while managements keep collecting their salaries,” he said.
He reportedly called for urgent reforms to sanitise the system and ensure proper replacement of departed health workers in line with genuine staffing needs.
In addition, the Deputy National President emphasised the need for fair recruitment practices and stronger accountability in payroll management across health institutions.
He stated that, while training institutions continue to produce qualified nurses annually, poor coordination in recruitment and deployment remains a major challenge in the sector.
He reportedly urged the government to strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure that available health workers are properly absorbed into the system to improve service delivery.
Source: Per Second News
(Quote via original reporting)
