Borno state governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has released N5.81 billion to clear outstanding gratuities owed to retired civil servants and families of deceased workers in the state.
The governor presented cheques totaling N5,814,830,271.94 at the Council Chamber of the Government House, Maiduguri, during a ceremony attended by leaders of the organised labour and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners.
The payment, according to the governor, is part of his administration’s continued efforts to improve the welfare of workers and retirees while addressing inherited liabilities affecting former public servants.
A cheque of N2,992,301,964.95 was issued to settle outstanding gratuities owed to families of deceased civil servants, while another cheque of N2,822,528,306.99 was presented to cover gratuities for pensioners up to December 2022, including unpaid entitlements of workers of the Borno State Housing Corporation from 2013 to date.
Speaking at the event, governor Zulum said the payment was a fulfilment of his administration’s promise to ensure that workers who served the state receive their legitimate benefits.
“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 N5.81 billion to deceased and retired civil servants,” he said.
The governor expressed concern over the difficulties faced by families of deceased workers due to delayed payments, noting that the release of nearly N3 billion would provide relief and enable them to live with greater dignity.
He added that civil servants who retired in 2022 would receive their gratuities in full, after which attention would shift to those who retired in 2023.
Governor Zulum also recalled previous interventions by his administration, including the monthly allocation of N200 million for gratuity payments, the release of N8 billion for pensioners’ entitlements and teachers’ gratuities in 2025, as well as the disbursement of N12 billion in 2020 to settle the entitlements of about 5,000 retired state and local government workers.
The Commissioner for Finance, Lawan Umar Dalorima, commended the governor for prioritising workers’ welfare, describing the payment as a demonstration of compassionate and people-focused leadership.
Dalorima said the intervention reflected the government’s commitment to rewarding citizens who dedicated their productive years to the development of Borno state.
The Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Mamman Bukar, also applauded the governor’s decision to clear the gratuity backlog, describing it as timely and impactful.
He said the payment would ease the hardship experienced by pensioners and families of deceased workers while reinforcing confidence in the government’s commitment to labour welfare.
Meanwhile, governor Zulum has assured local government employees that his administration would soon engage their representatives to address challenges affecting their welfare.
He gave the assurance during the cheque presentation ceremony, acknowledging the concerns of local government workers and promising that practical solutions would be explored.
“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,” Zulum said.
The governor identified the large workforce on local government payrolls as one of the factors limiting the implementation of broader welfare reforms, while appealing to workers to remain patient as discussions with their union leaders commence.