The Lagos State Government has officially launched the Monthly Biometric Staff Verification Exercise under the Biometric Staff Audit System (BSAS) as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance accountability, transparency, and efficiency in the management of the State’s workforce.
Speaking at the official launch, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Audit, Dr. Oyeyemi Ayoola, FCA, stated that while the initiative would be instrumental in eradicating ghost workers, the State Government would ensure strict compliance with data integrity and data privacy standards.
Dr. Ayoola urged auditors, who will serve as drivers of the new initiative, not to compromise the system, stressing that its functionality and success depend largely on effective internal controls, collective support, and strict adherence to professional ethics.
According to her, auditors occupy a strategic position in ensuring accountability within the public service. “We are custodians of trust in Lagos State and drivers of oversight functions. As such, we have major roles to play in making this system work. I therefore urge all auditors not to compromise the system,” she said.
The Special Adviser also emphasised the importance of the well-being, mental health, and emotional balance of auditors, noting that these are critical for optimal performance. She further encouraged auditors to align with global best practices and uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Internal Audit, Mrs. Monsurat Titilope Alaka, said the Biometric Staff Verification Exercise under the BSAS would make staff verification faster, easier, and more efficient.
She noted that the new system is critical to eliminating payroll fraud, ghost workers, and identity fraud, while also strengthening internal control systems across the public service.
Mrs. Alaka described the initiative as a significant milestone in strengthening prudent financial management and safeguarding public resources through enhanced payroll integrity.
According to her, the introduction of the Monthly Biometric Staff Verification Exercise demonstrates the State Government’s unwavering commitment to leveraging technology to ensure accurate personnel records, improve workforce management, and eliminate opportunities for payroll fraud.
She explained that the Biometric Staff Audit System employs advanced biometric technologies, including fingerprint and facial recognition, to provide a secure and reliable platform for staff verification and attendance monitoring.
“The successful implementation of this initiative will strengthen personnel management, improve operational efficiency, enhance transparency, and contribute significantly to the realisation of the THEMES+ Development Agenda of the Lagos State Government,” she said.
Mrs. Alaka further explained that the exercise would ensure that only active, legitimate, and duly verified employees of the Lagos State Government remain on the payroll, thereby helping to identify and eliminate irregularities such as ghost workers.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, who was represented by the Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office, Dr. Muyiwa John Adetola, emphasised that biometric verification has become central to modern identity management and is long overdue in the Lagos State Public Service.
According to him, the immediate implementation of the initiative underscores the State Government’s commitment to adopting global digital best practices in personnel and payroll management.
“The initiative, championed by the Office of Internal Audit, is designed to align the State’s payroll verification system with modern technology-driven processes that ensure greater efficiency, accuracy, and accountability,” he stated.
The Head of Service highlighted the significant progress already made by Lagos State through the adoption of digital payroll systems, data validation protocols across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and strengthened internal control mechanisms, with the Office of Internal Audit playing a leading role in driving these reforms.
Describing the launch as a clear demonstration of the State Government’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and accountability, Mr. Agoro commended the leadership of the Office of Internal Audit for promoting innovation and credible personnel management within the Public Service.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute significantly to the growth, excellence, and sustainability of Lagos State while further entrenching transparency and accountability in governance.
The launch of the Monthly Biometric Staff Verification Exercise marks another important milestone in Lagos State’s journey towards building a more efficient, technology-driven, and globally competitive public service.
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