The Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has endorsed Governor Uba Sani for a second term, describing him as a “pensioner-friendly governor” following the payment of billions of naira in pensions, gratuities and death benefits since he assumed office.
The union also requested additional support from the governor, including an operational bus and land for a permanent secretariat in Kaduna metropolis, while Sani pledged to review pensioners’ monthly entitlements in response to current economic realities.
Key Highlights
- Kaduna pensioners have endorsed Uba Sani for a second term.
- The union described Sani as a “pensioner-friendly governor.”
- The Kaduna Government says ₦21.455 billion has been paid to 9,683 beneficiaries since May 2023.
- The payments cover pensions, gratuities and death benefits.
- Pensioners requested an operational bus and land for a permanent secretariat.
- Governor Sani pledged to review monthly pension entitlements.
- Sani said pensions for permanent secretaries had been increased by 200 percent.
- The endorsement comes ahead of the 2027 Kaduna governorship election.
- The reported ₦21.455 billion represents cumulative payments, not necessarily the state’s total outstanding pension liability.
Kaduna Pensioners Endorse Uba Sani for Second Term
The Kaduna chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners endorsed Governor Uba Sani during a courtesy visit on Tuesday, praising his administration for its handling of pension-related payments and welfare issues.
State NUP Secretary Alhassan Balarabe Musa reportedly commended the governor for what the union described as significant progress in the payment of pension-related entitlements.
The union’s position adds to the growing political activity surrounding the 2027 Kaduna governorship election.
Uba Sani Administration Reports ₦21.455bn Pension Payments
The Kaduna State Government has previously disclosed that the Uba Sani administration has made cumulative pension-related payments of ₦21.455 billion to 9,683 beneficiaries since May 2023.
The figure followed the governor’s approval of another ₦3.659 billion for 1,339 beneficiaries in September 2026.
According to the state government, the latest payment covered retirees and eligible families of deceased public servants under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) and Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The September intervention included ₦515 million for 210 local government retirees under the DBS, while ₦3.144 billion was approved for 1,129 beneficiaries under the CPS.
Pensioners Praise Sani’s Payment Record
The pensioners’ union praised the administration for what it described as an improvement in the promptness of pension payments.
Balarabe Musa reportedly said pensioners were now receiving their entitlements more promptly, sometimes before serving civil servants received their salaries.
The union also compared the amount paid under the Sani administration with payments made by the previous administration over a longer period, describing the current pace of disbursement as unprecedented.
The comparison, however, reflects the union’s assessment and should not be interpreted as an independent audit of Kaduna State’s pension liabilities.
Sani Promises Pension Review
Governor Uba Sani accepted the pensioners’ description of his administration as pensioner-friendly and pledged further action on their welfare.
Sani said his administration had already increased the pensions of permanent secretaries by 200 percent and promised to establish a committee to review monthly pension entitlements in view of current economic conditions.
The proposed review is expected to examine the adequacy of pension payments against the rising cost of living.
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Pensioners Request Bus, Land for Secretariat
The pensioners also asked the Kaduna State Government to provide an operational bus for the union and allocate land in Kaduna metropolis for a permanent secretariat.
Sani agreed to the requests, according to the information released by the state government.
The Kaduna State Ministry of Information and Culture also highlighted the proposed pension review, provision of an operational bus and allocation of land for the union’s permanent secretariat as part of the administration’s engagement with pensioners.
₦21.455bn Payment Does Not Represent Total Outstanding Liability
While the ₦21.455 billion figure has been widely cited in connection with the Sani administration’s pension payments, the amount represents cumulative disbursements since May 2023 and should not automatically be regarded as the total amount previously owed or the state’s current outstanding liability.
A recent BusinessDay report noted that Kaduna had said it cleared about ₦18 billion of inherited pension and gratuity arrears, but had not publicly disclosed a consolidated figure showing its remaining pension and gratuity obligations as of September 2026.
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners has also previously acknowledged payments by the administration while indicating that some pensioners were still awaiting their entitlements.
Uba Sani’s 2027 Re-election Bid
The pensioners’ endorsement comes as political parties and political actors begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 Kaduna State governorship election.
The union’s endorsement represents an expression of support from the pensioners’ body, while the governor’s re-election campaign will ultimately depend on the broader political process and electorate.
For now, the Sani administration is highlighting pension payments and reforms as part of its record in government, while pensioners are seeking further improvements in their welfare and the regular payment of entitlements.
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