Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the release of N5.81 billion to settle outstanding gratuities owed to retired civil servants and the families of deceased workers, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of public servants.
The governor presented cheques totaling N5,814,830,271.94 on Friday during a ceremony at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Governor Zulum said the intervention was in fulfilment of his administration’s pledge to prioritise workers’ welfare and ensure that retired employees and the families of deceased civil servants receive their entitlements without further delay.
The governor disclosed that the first cheque, valued at N2,992,301,964.95, would clear all outstanding gratuities owed to the families of deceased civil servants, while the second cheque of N2,822,528,306.99 would cover gratuities for retirees up to December 2022, including outstanding payments to staff of the Borno State Housing Corporation from 2013 to date.
“In fulfilment of our campaign promises, this afternoon, as it has been said by the Honourable Commissioner of Finance, we are presenting a cheque of about N5.814 billion to deceased and retired civil servants,” Governor Zulum stated.
He noted that many families of deceased workers had endured years of financial hardship and said the payment was intended to restore dignity and provide much-needed relief.
“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.
Apart from this, civil servants who retired in 2022 will now receive their gratuities in full, after which we shall move to those who retired in 2023,” he added.
The governor highlighted several interventions undertaken by his administration to address pension and gratuity obligations. These include the monthly release of N200 million for gratuity payments, the approval of N8 billion in 2025 for pensioners’ entitlements and teachers’ gratuities, as well as the disbursement of N12 billion in 2020 to settle the gratuities of about 5,000 retired state and local government workers.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Lawan Umar Dalorima, commended Governor Zulum’s sustained commitment to workers’ welfare, describing the payment as another demonstration of compassionate and people-centred leadership.
According to Dalorima, the gesture reflects the administration’s determination to honour those who dedicated their productive years to the service of Borno State despite prevailing financial pressures.
On his part, the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Mamman Bukar, applauded the governor for clearing the outstanding gratuities, describing the intervention as timely and impactful.
He said the payments would significantly ease the hardship faced by pensioners and the families of deceased civil servants while strengthening workers’ confidence in the government’s commitment to their welfare.
Governor Zulum also assured local government employees that his administration is already working on measures to improve their welfare.
He acknowledged the challenges confronting workers at the local government level and pledged that the state government would soon engage with union representatives to develop practical and lasting solutions.
“Borno state government is very much aware of some of the problems facing local government employees. Very soon, we shall engage with you and see how we can address your challenges,” the governor said.
He explained that the size of the local government workforce remains one of the major constraints affecting the implementation of broader welfare reforms but appealed to employees to remain patient, assuring them that discussions with labour leaders would soon commence.