The Bauchi State Government has released ₦10 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to retired civil servants, with the next phase of disbursement scheduled to commence on Monday, October 12, 2026.
The release comes as the state government continues efforts to clear accumulated retirement benefits owed to former workers at both state and local government levels, many of whom have waited for years to receive their entitlements.
The High-Powered Committee on Verification and Payment of Gratuities announced the development on Sunday during a press briefing at the North-East Chamber, Government House, Bauchi, assuring beneficiaries that the payment exercise would resume with retirees whose entitlements fall within the 2014 category.
According to the committee, gratuity payments for beneficiaries covering the 2012 and 2013 periods have been completed, paving the way for the next phase of the exercise.
The committee said the payment process would proceed to subsequent years as the government continues to address the backlog, although it did not provide a timeline for clearing all outstanding obligations.
The announcement is expected to be of particular interest to retirees who have spent years awaiting the payment of their terminal benefits, which many depend on to meet their basic needs, support their families and manage healthcare expenses after leaving active service.
N10bn Release Amid Conflicting Figures
Beyond the announcement of the fresh funding, the committee also moved to dispel reports suggesting that Governor Bala Mohammed had released only N3 billion for the gratuity payment exercise.
The Leader of the Payment Exercise for State Pensioners, Mr. Kola Oyerinde, and the Leader of the Payment Exercise for Local Government Pensioners, Mohammed Kabir Sizwe, insisted that the amount released by the state government was N10 billion.
They reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to settling outstanding gratuity obligations and said the funds would support the ongoing payment process.
However, the committee did not provide a detailed breakdown of the allocation or specify how much would go to state retirees and how much would be paid to former local government employees.
The clarification is expected to address concerns surrounding the amount earmarked for the exercise, as the government works to demonstrate progress in meeting its obligations to retired workers.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Contributory Pension Commission, Ibrahim Inuwa, commended Governor Mohammed for releasing the funds.
Inuwa said the commission was ready to commence payments to verified beneficiaries in the 2014 category, assuring retirees that the process would be conducted transparently.
He explained that only genuine and eligible beneficiaries would receive payments under the exercise, adding that the process would continue until all verified beneficiaries had received their outstanding gratuities.
The commission’s assurance places emphasis on verification and accountability as the government continues to disburse funds to settle years of accumulated liabilities.
The payment of outstanding gratuities remains an important issue for retired workers, particularly those who depend on their retirement benefits to maintain their livelihoods after years of public service.
Unlike regular monthly pension payments, gratuities are generally paid as terminal benefits upon retirement.
Delays in settling such obligations can create financial difficulties for retirees who may have planned to use the funds for housing, medical treatment, family support and other essential needs.
For the Bauchi State Government, the release of ₦10 billion represents a financial commitment towards reducing the backlog. However, the impact of the intervention will ultimately depend on how quickly the funds reach eligible beneficiaries and how consistently subsequent categories are paid.
The committee’s disclosure that payments have progressed through the 2012 and 2013 categories to the 2014 group provides an indication of the sequence being followed, but the overall size of the outstanding liability and the number of retirees still awaiting payment were not disclosed at the briefing.
While the committee has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to clearing the backlog, transparency in the disbursement process and regular updates on progress will remain important to beneficiaries.
A breakdown of the funds released, the number of retirees paid under each category and the amount remaining outstanding could help provide a clearer picture of the progress being made.
For retirees awaiting their entitlements, the immediate concern will be whether the announced resumption translates into actual payments and whether subsequent categories will be attended to without prolonged delays.
The Bauchi State Government’s latest intervention therefore marks another phase in its efforts to settle outstanding gratuities, with beneficiaries now looking towards the commencement of payments for the 2014 category.
The government, through the relevant committee and pension commission, has assured that the exercise will continue until all genuine beneficiaries receive their entitlements.