Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has flagged off the payment of N10.32 billion in gratuities to 6,665 retired workers of the state and its 11 local government councils.
The latest disbursement brings the total gratuity payments made by the Inuwa Yahaya administration since 2019 to N44.134 billion, as the government intensifies efforts to clear outstanding retirement liabilities.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the governor described the exercise as an act of justice and recognition for workers who dedicated their productive years to the service of Gombe State.
He disclosed that his administration inherited more than N21 billion in outstanding gratuity liabilities when it assumed office in 2019, covering local government retirees between 2012 and 2019 and state retirees between 2014 and 2019.
According to him, despite economic challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, two economic recessions, the Russia-Ukraine war, fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira, the government remained committed to settling the outstanding obligations.
The governor said the administration had previously paid N33.283 billion in gratuities, while new retirement obligations continued to accrue.
Breakdown of N10.32bn Payment
Inuwa Yahaya said N6.24 billion had been approved for 2,354 state retirees to settle outstanding gratuities for 2024 and 2025.
Another N4.08 billion was approved for 4,311 local government retirees across the state’s 11 councils.
The local government payments cover different outstanding periods, including 2019 in Akko; 2018 to 2023 in Balanga; 2019 to 2025 in Billiri; and 2018 to 2022 in Dukku.
Other beneficiaries include retirees in Funakaye, Kwami and Nafada for 2025; Gombe for 2017 to 2022; Kaltungo for 2017 to 2023; Shongom for 2019 to 2023; and Yamaltu-Deba for 2017 to 2018.
The governor also disclosed that N299 million had been paid as gratuities to former employees of the Gombe Investment and Property Development Company following its dissolution and the establishment of the Gombe State Investment Promotion Agency.
“With today’s disbursement, our cumulative gratuity payment since 2019 has reached a historic N44.134 billion,” he said.
‘I Will Leave Office With No Gratuity Backlog’
The governor assured retirees that his administration was determined to clear all outstanding gratuity obligations before leaving office.
He said the latest disbursement had effectively settled state government gratuity obligations up to December 2025, while gratuities accruing from January 2026 would be paid early in 2027.
“I will leave office with no backlog of gratuity, Insha Allah,” he assured.
Inuwa Yahaya also disclosed that the government was considering a sustainable framework for meeting future gratuity obligations, including a contributory pension arrangement or direct deductions from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
He said the proposed measures were intended to prevent the accumulation of retirement liabilities and ensure that future retirees received their entitlements without prolonged delays.
Governor Highlights Workers’ Welfare Initiatives
Beyond gratuity payments, the governor listed several measures introduced by his administration to improve workers’ welfare, including the implementation of the N30,000 and subsequent N70,000 minimum wages, as well as the implementation of CONMESS and CONHESS for health workers.
He also cited the prompt payment of salaries and pensions, alongside investments in public-service infrastructure and administrative reforms.
According to him, the government is constructing a new State Secretariat and Three Arms Zone, while 13 new Local Council Development Area secretariats are being built and the former 11 local government secretariats are undergoing rehabilitation.
He further announced plans to fulfil the administration’s pledge to construct a befitting secretariat for the Gombe State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
On public-service reforms, Inuwa Yahaya said the government had established the Bureau of Public Service Reforms to strengthen workforce capacity, improve productivity and enhance service delivery.
He added that digital transformation initiatives were being pursued through the Gombe State Information Technology and Digital Economy Commission.
The governor also disclosed that his administration had recruited 1,000 teachers and more than 440 health workers, alongside additional personnel for various ministries, departments and agencies established during his tenure.
He said progress in clearing inherited gratuity liabilities had strengthened the state’s capacity to undertake future recruitment based on the actual needs of the public service and the wider economy.
NLC, Pensioners Commend Government
Earlier, the Commissioner for Finance, Muhammadu Gambo Magaji, said the government’s approach to clearing the gratuity backlog reflected its commitment to fiscal responsibility, accountability and sound financial management.
The state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Aish Bello, commended the administration for its attention to workers’ welfare.
Bello praised the implementation of the minimum wage adjustments and the adoption of CONMESS and CONHESS for health workers.
Similarly, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Muhammad Hassan Kwami, expressed appreciation to the governor for addressing the financial challenges facing retirees and pensioners.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Abdulkadir Adamu Kawu and Zainab Ishiyaku Adamu thanked the state government for settling their long-awaited gratuities.
They said the payments would enable retirees to enjoy the benefits of their years of service while alive and pledged continued support for the governor and his administration.
The ceremony featured the formal flag-off of the payment exercise and the presentation of cheques to selected state and local government retirees.
