The Management of the National Service Authority (NSA) has moved to reassure stakeholders that it is taking decisive steps to resolve concerns raised by personnel whose records have recently been flagged within its payment system.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 3, the Authority emphasised that the measure forms part of a routine technical exercise aimed at strengthening its internal audit mechanisms.

According to the NSA, a targeted review of its payroll framework identified a small number of anomalies, prompting the system to flag certain records for verification.

The Authority stressed that the system-driven process was introduced specifically to eliminate so-called “ghost names” from the payroll — a long-standing challenge in public sector administration — and to ensure that public funds are disbursed solely to legitimate and verified serving personnel.

Management noted that an extended verification process became necessary after the detection of falsified documentation submitted by a limited number of individuals.

The NSA said it was determined to safeguard the integrity of the national service scheme and to protect genuine personnel from being disadvantaged by irregular practices.

“This verification exercise is intended to ensure that every individual receiving payment is duly validated,” the statement indicated, adding that each flagged case is being thoroughly reviewed to ensure accuracy and fairness.

The Authority emphasised that the majority of personnel remain unaffected, describing the flagged cases as representing only a small percentage of the total records within the payment framework.

To expedite resolution, the NSA has reminded affected personnel who have yet to complete the verification process to submit the required documentation without delay. The documents requested include:

• School transcripts
• Student identification cards
• Proof of fee payments
• Admission letters

Officials stated that submission of the above documents will enable the Authority to finalise verification and restore payment processing for eligible individuals.

The NSA has assured both personnel and the wider public that all individuals with valid and verified documentation will be cleared by the close of the week. Payments for those cleared, it said, will be processed swiftly thereafter.

Reaffirming its commitment to accountability and transparency, the Authority maintained that the current measures are part of broader reforms to enhance operational efficiency and public trust.

The NSA reiterated its determination to ensure a seamless service experience, where fraudulent entries are eliminated and only legitimate, validated personnel are recognised and compensated for their patriotic service.