Zulum Clears Gratuity Backlog with N5.81bn Payout, Promises Better Welfare for LG Workers

Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has authorized a significant financial intervention, releasing N5.81 billion to address a substantial backlog of gratuities owed to retired civil servants and the families of deceased workers. This move represents one of the state's largest pension settlement exercises, designed to alleviate the financial hardships faced by former public servants.

“

We have quite a number of civil servants who have lost their lives, and their families are still battling with life’s challenges. We are presenting about three billion naira to the families of deceased civil servants so they can continue to live in peace and dignity.

The approved sum, totaling N5,814,830,271.94, was presented in Maiduguri. Of this amount, N2.99 billion is allocated to settle outstanding gratuities for the families of civil servants who have passed away, while N2.82 billion will clear gratuities for retirees up to December 2022. Notably, this includes entitlements for staff of the Borno State Housing Corporation that date back to 2013.

“

With the latest payment, all retired civil servants up to 2022 would receive their gratuities in full, while the government would immediately begin processing payments for those who retired in 2023.

Governor Zulum stated that this intervention fulfills a key campaign promise, aiming to provide much-needed relief to families who have experienced prolonged periods of financial uncertainty. He specifically mentioned the support for families of deceased civil servants, emphasizing the goal of enabling them to "continue to live in peace and dignity." With this disbursement, all civil servants who retired up to 2022 will receive their full gratuities, and the government will commence processing payments for those who retired in 2023.

“

The payment as further evidence of the administration’s commitment to honouring workers who dedicated their careers to public service.

This latest payment is part of a broader strategy by the Zulum administration to tackle pension liabilities. The state currently allocates N200 million monthly for gratuity payments. Future plans include an N8 billion allocation for pensioners' entitlements and teachers' gratuities in 2025, following a N12 billion disbursement in 2020 that settled benefits for approximately 5,000 retired state and local government workers. The Commissioner for Finance, Lawan Dalorima, highlighted the payment as further proof of the administration's dedication to honoring public servants, emphasizing that retiree welfare remains a priority despite competing financial demands. Organized labor representatives, including Mamman Bukar, Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Borno State, welcomed the development, calling it timely and effective in reducing economic hardship and bolstering worker confidence in the government's commitment.

“

The exercise would strengthen workers’ confidence in the government’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations.