By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage– The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, has charged stakeholders to review the implementation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and chart a course toward greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public payroll administration.
Ogunjimi, made this known during the opening of a three-day retreat on the implementation of IPPIS, held recently in Abuja as part of ongoing efforts to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the platform.
According to the AGF, the retreat was convened to provide a strategic platform for participants to critically assess the implementation of IPPIS and develop measures aimed at strengthening an efficient, transparent, and accountable payroll management system.
He stated that the retreat was carefully structured to achieve key objectives, including reviewing and analysing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) associated with IPPIS implementation, while also fostering stronger collaboration and unity of purpose 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,” Ogunjimi stated.
He further explained that the initiative aligns with the core objectives of IPPIS, particularly the centralisation of Federal Government personnel records and the improvement of administrative and pension-related processes.
Dr. Ogunjimi encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the retreat and contribute meaningfully toward making IPPIS the most reliable payroll management system in the Nigerian Public Service.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, described the retreat as timely and significant, noting that it provides an important platform for reflection, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
Oyedele stated that IPPIS remains one of the most impactful public sector reform initiatives, having reduced leakages and incidences of ghost workers, strengthened personnel data integrity, and enhanced fiscal discipline.
According to him, the Federal Government remains committed to deepening public financial management reforms through digital transformation and transparency.
Also speaking, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described the retreat as more than a technical engagement, stressing that it represents a strategic effort aimed at reinforcing the critical link between human resources data integrity and payroll accuracy.
Walson-Jack further stated that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Civil Service is undergoing a major transformation anchored on efficiency, productivity, transparency, digitalisation, performance, and improved staff welfare.
She noted that IPPIS has a central role to play in the transformation, adding that no modern civil service can function effectively without accurate personnel data and a credible 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.
She emphasised that as the Federal Government continues to implement its reform strategies, the goal is to build a fully integrated personnel management system that supports the entire employee life cycle, from entry into service to retirement.
According to her, achieving this objective will require stronger collaboration, timely data updates, clearer procedures, and shared ownership among all institutions connected to the IPPIS ecosystem.
She urged participants to engage actively and constructively in the deliberations of the retreat, share their experiences honestly, identify bottlenecks clearly, and propose solutions boldly.
Walson-Jack reiterated that discussions should go beyond complaints and produce actionable outcomes, adding that the communiqué from the retreat should be practical, measurable, and implementable.
She noted that the retreat underscores the Federal Government’s sustained commitment to leveraging technology-driven reforms to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public service delivery.
