Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved the release of ₦8 billion to settle long-standing pension arrears owed to retirees across the state, bringing relief to thousands of former workers who have endured years of unpaid entitlements.
According to Mohammed Usman, Permanent Secretary of the State Pension Board, the approved funds will be split between state and local government retirees. Out of the total package, ₦5 billion has been earmarked for state pensioners, while ₦3 billion will go to local government beneficiaries.
Usman recalled that under the administration of former Governor Jibrilla Bindow, pensions were left unpaid for four years, leading to a massive backlog that plunged many retirees into financial hardship. He stressed that Governor Fintiri’s administration is determined to clear the debt burden before the end of its tenure, noting that incremental adjustments based on retirees’ last grade levels will continue to be implemented.
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For many pensioners, this intervention could not have come at a better time. Reports show that some retirees have been surviving on as little as ₦2,500 monthly, a situation that has drawn criticism from labour unions and rights groups. The fresh approval is expected to provide a lifeline for vulnerable pensioners and restore confidence in the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
Governor Fintiri’s move has already sparked conversations across Adamawa, with many citizens describing it as a bold step toward correcting past injustices and easing the suffering of senior citizens who dedicated their lives to public service.
