I still receive salary as Nigerian civil servant despite relocating abroad – UK cab driver

 

A Nigerian taxi driver based in the United Kingdom has revealed that he continues to receive a monthly salary as a junior official from a government agency in Nigeria.

This individual, whose story was recently featured by the BBC, relocated to the UK two years ago but has not officially resigned from his position back in Nigeria.

This revelation comes shortly after President Bola Tinubu initiated a crackdown on civil servants who are drawing salaries from the Nigerian government despite having relocated abroad without formally resigning.

President Tinubu’s action follows alarming information shared by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Folasade Yemi-Esan, regarding employees living abroad while still receiving salaries from the Nigerian government. Tinubu emphasized that those involved must be held accountable.

The President directed that those benefitting from this malpractice must refund the money and those who facilitated the payments should face investigation and appropriate punishment.

“The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected. Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch,” Tinubu stated.

Responding to the President’s directive, the UK-based driver, identified by the BBC as Sabitu Adams (a pseudonym to protect his identity), expressed indifference about losing his Nigerian salary since he earns significantly more driving a taxi in the UK.

Adams mentioned that he doesn’t worry about losing his Nigerian salary of 150,000 naira (approximately $100 or £80) monthly.

“When I heard about the president’s directive, I smiled because I know I am doing better here – and not worried,” he told the BBC.

The 36-year-old also corroborated the President’s claim about accomplices within the system, admitting that his department continues to process his salary because of a good rapport with his boss.

“I had a good understanding with my boss and he just let me leave. I didn’t resign because I wanted to leave that door open in case I choose to go back to my job after a few years,” he revealed.