Digital reforms curbing public sector corruption, says bureau chief

Nigeria's public sector is strengthening financial accountability and curbing corruption through digital reforms, according to Dr Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms. Speaking at the 2026 Nigeria Annual Business Analysis Conference in Lagos, Arabi highlighted three key tools supporting these efforts: the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), and the Bank Verification Number (BVN).

IPPIS enables the government to monitor employee records and identify irregularities, such as multiple salary payments. GIFMIS links government institutions and service providers to a central financial management system, improving expenditure controls. The BVN aids in identifying suspicious financial transactions and tracing financial activities.

Arabi noted that these reforms have made it possible for government institutions to monitor public expenditure as transactions occur, rather than relying on retrospective checks. However, he acknowledged that weaknesses in policy development and implementation remain a major challenge, and called for a performance-driven public service with officials held accountable against measurable targets.