They are still being paid by their former employer even though they are able to work somewhere else—sometimes even in a different country.
President Bola Tinubu issued an order for a crackdown last week after word of this reached the top.
He declared, “The offenders must be forced to return the money they have wrongfully obtained.”
Even though he left Nigeria two years ago, Sabitu Adams—whose name has been altered to protect his identity—has not quit from his job as a junior officer at a government agency and continues to receive a monthly salary.
He currently drives a cab in the UK, but he told the news that he does not consider Mr. Tinubu’s remarks to be a serious threat, so he was not concerned about losing his job.
Mr. Adams continued by saying that since he makes far more money operating a taxi, losing his 150,000 naira ($100; £80) monthly salary from Nigeria would not be a huge problem.
The 36-year-old remarked, “I smiled when I heard about the president’s directive because I know I am doing better here and am not worried.”
However, why not inform the civil service that he had departed?
To be honest, I decided to keep my options open in case I decided to return to my job, which is why I didn’t resign.
