The plight of former employees of the New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN) under the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has reached a tragic peak, with reports confirming that 106 beneficiaries have died while awaiting their unpaid benefits, which total a staggering N2.1 billion.
A press statement signed by Alhaji Sadiq Tela on behalf of the Elders Forum and Friday Sule for the Joint Union of New Nigerian Newspapers expressed deep frustration over the prolonged non-payment of entitlements. The beneficiaries had high hopes after the out-of-court settlement between the Northern Governors and Albert Iweka & Co, which was formally adopted by the Federal High Court on November 27, 2024. However, despite the legal resolution, the extreme poverty faced by the affected workers remains unaddressed, pushing many into desperation and grief.
The crisis originated from a legal dispute initiated by Barrister Iweka and Idi Sule, both former employees of the New Nigerian Newspapers, against the Northern Governors over the payment of check-off dues. The legal battle led to a garnishee order, freezing the accounts of New Capital Properties Limited (NCPL)—the company holding the proceeds from the sale of NNN assets. Although the intervention of the New Nigerian Beneficiaries eventually led to the vacation of all garnishee orders and the resolution of the decade-old case, the former NNN workers remain unpaid, despite all other parties being duly settled.
Read also: Nigeria to showcase groundbreaking gas innovations at World Gas Conference 2025 in Beijing
The beneficiaries, who served the 19 Northern Governors, lamented that even after more than 100 days since the court lifted the legal barriers, their suffering has only intensified. Many are now living in extreme financial distress, unable to provide for their families. According to the statement, over 800 beneficiaries—supporting nearly 10,000 dependents—are now on the brink of starvation, struggling to cope with the economic hardship exacerbated by their unpaid dues.
Despite this ongoing crisis, the incumbent Secretary to the Kaduna State Government has been praised for engaging with the Northern Nigeria Development Company and the Northern Governors’ Secretariat in a bid to resolve the matter. However, while these efforts offer some hope, the reality of worsening economic conditions has left many former employees crying for help.
With Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State leading the Northern Governors’ Forum, the beneficiaries are pleading for immediate action, urging the governors to end their suffering. As the death toll continues to rise, the statement made a heart-wrenching appeal, invoking the spirit of Ramadan, urging the governors to show mercy and fulfill their obligation to the former NNN employees. Many of these workers cannot even afford to break their fast, underscoring the severity of their hardship. The statement added.
