The Kogi State government has sacked 1,667 civil servants for alleged certificate forgery.
Eight permanent secretaries were also retired as part of the civil service reforms.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Petra Akinti Onyegbule, said those affected had served for four years and above.
It reads: “In order to get the best replacement for the retired permanent secretaries, directors who have been in office for eight years and above, but are yet to attain the retirement age or maximum number of years in office, were allowed to write the exams to fill the position of permanent secretaries.
“The result of the exams, which held on December 12, 2017, and followed by interviews, is yet to be released. Until the result is out, we won’t be able to put a definite figure to the number of directors who will be affected by the compulsory leave.
“This move is in line with the government’s policy to ease the top heaviness of the service and correct a situation where the civil service lacks workers at the lower cadres while the top is heavy, leading to an inverted pyramid.
“The Kogi State government is carrying out reforms at different stages to reposition its civil service for effectiveness, efficiency and productivity.
“The screening, which began in 2016, has since ended, and the reversal of the inverted pyramid at the civil service is another phase of the much needed reforms meant to ensure the civil service plays its role as the engine room of government efficiently and effectively.
“In addition, 1,667 civil servants were dismissed for certificate forgery. This figure is expected to increase as more reports come in from institutions where enquiries for certificate verification have been sent to.
“Another 107 workers were dismissed for fraud.”