Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has approved the release of N5.81 billion to settle a significant backlog of gratuities owed to retired civil servants and the families of deceased workers, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and fulfilling long-standing pension obligations.
The governor presented cheques totalling N5,814,830,271.94 on Friday at the Government House in Maiduguri before representatives of organised labour and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, describing the disbursement as one of the largest gratuity settlement exercises undertaken by the state.
A breakdown of the payment shows that N2.99 billion has been earmarked to clear all outstanding gratuities owed to the families of deceased civil servants, while N2.82 billion will settle gratuities for retirees up to December 2022, including outstanding entitlements owed to former employees of the Borno State Housing Corporation dating back to 2013.
Zulum said the intervention fulfils a key campaign promise and is aimed at easing the financial hardship faced by retirees and bereaved families who have waited years for their benefits.
“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 governor said.
He further disclosed that the latest payment would ensure that all retired civil servants up to 2022 receive their gratuities in full, while processing of payments for workers who retired in 2023 would commence immediately.
The latest disbursement adds to the Zulum administration’s sustained efforts to reduce pension liabilities in the state. The government currently releases N200 million monthly for gratuity payments. In 2025, it approved N8 billion for pensioners’ entitlements and teachers’ gratuities, while N12 billion was disbursed in 2020 to settle the benefits of about 5,000 retired state and local government workers.
Commissioner for Finance, Lawan Dalorima, said the payment underscores the administration’s determination to honour public servants who dedicated their years to serving the state.
He noted that despite mounting fiscal pressures and competing development priorities, the government has continued to prioritise the welfare of retirees and other vulnerable citizens.
Organised labour also hailed the development, with the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Borno State, Mamman Bukar, describing the payment as timely and capable of easing the economic burden on pensioners and the families of deceased workers.
According to him, the exercise would further strengthen workers’ confidence in the government’s commitment to meeting its obligations.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum assured local government employees that his administration is finalising measures to improve their welfare.
He acknowledged the challenges confronting local government workers, explaining that the large size of the workforce has limited the implementation of broader welfare reforms.
The governor, however, pledged to engage labour leaders in the local government system to develop practical and sustainable 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,” he said.
The cheque presentation ceremony was attended by senior government officials, members of the National Assembly, labour leaders, permanent secretaries and other dignitaries.
