Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has approved the immediate payment of pensions, gratuities, and death benefits to retired local government staff, Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) teachers, and deceased retirees across the state.
Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Emeka Nwonu, announced this during a press briefing in Abakaliki.
He described the gesture as a fulfilment of the governor’s promise to improve the welfare of retired civil servants in line with his administration’s policy.
According to the statement, the governor approved over ₦10 billion to clear outstanding pension arrears and gratuities owed to retirees dating back to 1996, covering both living and deceased beneficiaries.
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The executive secretary noted that this development has brought renewed hope to thousands of pensioners who had waited years without receiving their entitlements.
“In this exercise, which kicks off today, about 4,000 retirees, comprising retired local government staff and UBEB teachers, have been profiled for payment.
“The screening committee, chaired by Mrs. Catherine Ogbu, has released the payment schedule, beginning with Abakaliki Local Government Area and is expected to conclude on November 28, 2025, with Ohaukwu Local Government Area,” the statement said.
It would be recalled that in 2024, Gov. Nwifuru cleared a backlog of arrears owed to state retirees since 1996, amounting to several billions of naira.
This, observers say, further affirms his administration’s commitment to restoring the dignity of labour and ensuring that workers enjoy the fruits of their service even after retirement.
Gov. Nwifuru has also demonstrated his administration’s concern for the welfare of active civil servants.
Recently, he increased the state’s minimum wage to ₦90,000, surpassing the new national benchmark, despite Ebonyi State being one of the states with the lowest federal allocation.
The executive secretary praised the governor for translating his words into action.
