President Bola Tinubu has said his government is planning to do a structural review of the Federal Civil Service payroll and block financial loopholes.
In a statement on Friday signed by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the Nigerian leader said he does not believe in the number of workers he has seen since his assumption of office.
The Nigerian leader stated this on Friday during a meeting with the World Bank President, Ajay Banga, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He also stated that a comprehensive forensic audit of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has begun with the recent appointment of the former Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Jim Obazee.
He said: “A comprehensive forensic audit is ongoing at the apex bank. We are going to do a very serious structural review of the civil service payroll.
“I can’t believe in the numbers I am seeing and I have had that experience before at the state level.
”The reforms are in tandem with Nigeria’s ease of doing business programme. We’ll block all financial loopholes. The reforms will be targeted at the way we work, change of attitude and equally on educating our people. It’s costly but we will do it.”
Tinubu also appealed to the financial institution to view the country as a significant player on the global stage, not solely as a struggling economy.
The President called for increased support from the World Bank to alleviate poverty in the country, adding that his administration is focused on substantial reforms, such as enhancing the ease of doing business and prioritising security to boost revenue generation.
“We stand as a vibrant and educated society, seeking to avert chaos through strategic interventions. Your proactive engagement aligns with our quest for partnership, and together, we shall pursue mutual benefits that enrich us all,” he said.
