Implementation of a Human Resource Information System for Local Government Councils in Sokoto State

Local government councils in North West Nigeria face persistent challenges in managing staff records, payroll processing, and leave administration due to outdated manual systems that are susceptible to data loss and ghost worker fraud. This study reports on the implementation of a human resource information system for local government councils in Sokoto State, targeting the Sokoto North and Wamakko Local Government Areas as pilot sites. A baseline assessment of HR processes in both councils identified discrepancies in staff headcount data compared with payroll figures, suggesting the presence of fictitious employees. The system was developed using Laravel (PHP framework) with a MySQL database, offering modules for employee biodata management, payroll computation, leave scheduling, and performance appraisal. Biometric integration for attendance tracking was incorporated to strengthen identity verification. Following a three-month implementation period, a payroll audit revealed a 17 percent reduction in payroll expenditure attributable to the removal of 43 ghost worker entries identified through biometric verification. The study concludes that digital HR systems represent a critical tool for improving fiscal discipline and governance accountability in Nigerian local government administration. Keywords: human resource information system, local government, Sokoto State, payroll management, ghost workers.