Borno State Governor, Babagana 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, in the presence of leaders of the organised labour and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners.
The payment is part of ongoing efforts by the Zulum administration to improve the welfare of workers and retirees, as well as address long-standing liabilities inherited by the government.
The first cheque, valued at N2,992,301,964.95, is meant to settle outstanding gratuities owed to families of deceased civil servants, while the second cheque of N2,822,528,306.99 will cover gratuities for pensioners up to December 2022, including unpaid entitlements of workers of the Borno State Housing Corporation from 2013 to date.
Speaking during the presentation, Governor Zulum said the payment is in fulfilment of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that workers who served the state receive their rightful benefits.
“In fulfilment of our campaign promises, this afternoon, as it has been said by the commissioner for finance, we are presenting a cheque of about N5.81 billion to deceased and retired civil servants,” the governor said.
He noted that many families of deceased workers have continued to face hardship due to unpaid entitlements, adding that the release of nearly N3 billion would help them live with greater dignity.
“Civil servants who retired in 2022 will now receive their gratuities in full, after which we shall move to those who retired in 2023,” Governor Zulum added.
The governor highlighted previous interventions by his administration, including the monthly release of N200 million for gratuity payments, the disbursement of N8 billion for pensioners’ entitlements and teachers’ gratuities in 2025, as well as the payment of N12 billion in 2020 to about 5,000 retired state and local government workers.
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The Commissioner for Finance, Lawan Dalorima, praised the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare, describing the payment as a reflection of a people-centred administration.
Dalorima said the gesture demonstrated the government’s determination to honour citizens who dedicated their productive years to the service of Borno state.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mamman Bukar, commended the governor for addressing the backlog of gratuities, describing the intervention as timely and impactful.
He said the payment would reduce the difficulties faced by pensioners and families of deceased workers while strengthening confidence in the government’s commitment to labour welfare.
Governor Zulum has also assured local government employees that his administration would address challenges affecting their welfare.
The governor gave the assurance during the gratuity cheque presentation ceremony, promising to engage with representatives of local government workers to develop solutions to their concerns.
“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,” Governor Zulum said.
He identified the large workforce on local government payrolls as one of the major constraints limiting the introduction of broader welfare reforms.
The governor appealed for patience from local government workers, assuring them that discussions with their union leaders would soon commence to find practical ways of improving their welfare.
