State Governor Approves ₦21bn To Clear Workers’ Gratuities.

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has sanctioned the release of over ₦21 billion to offset outstanding retirement and death gratuities owed to workers of the state government, local councils and the Local Education Authority.

The approval was made public on Thursday by the Head of Service, Alhaji Falalu Bawale, at the first meeting of the committee constituted to manage the payment process.

Bawale stated that the funds are meant to fully clear unpaid retirement and death benefits accumulated between September 2023 and October 2025. He explained that the initiative is designed to alleviate the financial difficulties experienced by pensioners and the families of deceased public servants.

He disclosed that ₦7.7 billion has been approved as a lump-sum payment to settle gratuities owed to retired state civil servants, with payment scheduled for December 2025.

In addition, he said more than ₦14 billion has been allocated to retirees from local governments and the Local Education Authority. The funds will be released in phases over a four-month period, from December 2025 to March 2026.

The Head of Service noted that the governor’s decision forms part of broader efforts to clear arrears and enhance the welfare of retirees across the state.

He also recalled that Governor Radda had previously approved the release of over ₦23 billion, which was used to pay outstanding retirement and death benefits covering the period from January 2019 to August 2023.