The Special Assistant on Gender to Governor Umar A. Namadi of Jigawa State, Khadija Sidi Suleiman, has been dismissed.

Naija News reports that Suleiman’s dismissal was confirmed in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday (today) by the Secretary to the Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim.

The statement indicated that the decision is effective immediately.

Additionally, it confirmed that all rights and privileges associated with her position have been revoked.

She has been instructed to promptly return all government property in her possession to the office of the Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State.

The government expressed appreciation for her contributions and wished her success in her future endeavours.

While no further explanation was given for her dismissal, Naija News recalls that the Jigawa State Government recently identified 6,348 ghost workers following a Statewide Staff Audit Biometric Data Capture and Validation Exercise.

This revelation was made by the State Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports, and Culture, Hon. Sagir Musa, during a press briefing on the outcome of the Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Umar Namadi on Monday.

According to Musa, the discovery has led to a monthly cost reduction of ₦314,657,342.06, amounting to an annual savings of ₦3,775,888,809.72.

The state government had previously directed the enrollment of its workforce into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Management System (IPPMS).

The aim, according to the government, was not to victimize workers but to streamline the payroll system and ensure timely payment of salaries and other employee entitlements.

To maintain the integrity of the system, the State Executive Council approved the creation of a Continuous Capture Centre (CCC) at the Office of the Head of Civil Service.

The centre will facilitate ongoing staff audits and biometric data capture as part of the IPPMS initiative.

Speaking on the development, Musa said, “Council has received the report of Staff Verification Exercise and approved the establishment of Continuous Capture Centre (CCC) at the Office of the Head of Civil Service for the completion of the Statewide Staff Audit Biometric Data Capture and Validation Exercise as part of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Management System (IPPMS) for the Jigawa State Government.”

He added that the exercise exposed 6,348 ghost workers and led to a significant financial saving of ₦314,657,342.06 monthly and ₦3,775,888,809.72 annually.