By Tgnews Reporter
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya has revealed the discovery of 440 ghost workers within the state’s health sector, leading to the recovery of an astonishing N4.5 billion. The announcement, made on Thursday during the maiden Gombe State Health Summit at the Gombe International Conference Centre, has sparked widespread debate and scrutiny across Nigeria.
Governor Yahaya disclosed that the identification of these fictitious employees—individuals drawing salaries without rendering service—marks a significant step in his administration’s ongoing efforts to reform and revitalize Gombe’s ailing health system.
“This is part of a broader vision to create a seamless, comprehensive healthcare ecosystem for our people,” Yahaya stated, emphasizing the savings as a critical recovery of misappropriated public funds.
Additionally, Governor Yahaya announced the immediate approval of federal-equivalent salary structures—CONMESS and CONHESS—effective October 2025, at a cost of N250 million monthly (N3 billion annually). This move aims to boost morale, retain skilled health workers, and curb the brain drain affecting rural areas.
This development comes against the backdrop of a long-standing ghost worker problem in Nigeria, with past audits revealing billions lost to similar frauds across various states. The Gombe case adds to a national conversation about governance, transparency, and the urgent need for robust payroll systems like the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS).
As investigations continue, Governor Yahaya has vowed to pursue further reforms, including the establishment of a contributory health scheme (GoHealth) and a pharmaceutical initiative (GoPharma) to ensure affordable medicine access. Yet, the burning question remains: Will the recovery of N4.5 billion translate into tangible benefits for Gombe’s citizens, or will it be another chapter in Nigeria’s saga of unfulfilled promises?
The state government has yet to release a detailed breakdown of the audit process or name those implicated in the fraud. As the nation watches, all eyes are on Gombe to see if this bold claim will lead to lasting change or merely stir more ghosts in the system.
