Kano Government Says It Has Paid ₦32 Billion in Backlogged Gratuity and Death Benefits Over Three Years

Published by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

Kano Government Says It Has Paid ₦32 Billion in Backlogged Gratuity and Death Benefits Over Three Years

Kano, Nigeria — The Kano State Government has confirmed that it has disbursed ₦32 billion out of a ₦48 billion backlog of gratuity and death benefit entitlements owed to retired civil servants and surviving beneficiaries over the past three years. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf made the announcement on Wednesday while inaugurating the sixth installment of payments to retirees in the state.

The governor explained that when his administration assumed office in May 2023, it inherited a significant backlog of unpaid entitlements from the previous government led by former governor Abdullahi Ganduje. The backlog included both gratuity and death benefit obligations that had accumulated over several years, leaving many retirees and families without access to funds they were legally entitled to.

Governor Yusuf stated that prior to the latest installment, his administration had already settled ₦27 billion across five earlier tranches. The current disbursement of ₦5 billion brings the total amount paid to ₦32 billion, with the government committed to clearing the remaining ₦16 billion before the end of the year. He emphasised that these payments were meant to alleviate the financial hardship experienced by retirees and their families after years of delayed benefits under previous administrations.

The backlog of gratuity and death benefits in Kano has been a longstanding issue. Governor Yusuf has criticised the handling of pension obligations by past administrations, saying that retirees endured hardship due to delayed payments. He described the previous administration’s failure to settle these entitlements as a serious social security concern that had deprived retirees of timely access to their funds and contributed to financial difficulties among senior citizens.

In earlier tranches of payment, the governor highlighted that funds were released through a verification process and direct electronic transfers to promote transparency and minimise irregularities. He also announced an upward review of the minimum pension amount to account for inflation.

At the inauguration of the sixth tranche, Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s resolve to settle all outstanding gratuity and death benefit liabilities before the end of the year. He framed this initiative as part of a broader commitment to improving social welfare and upholding the rights of those who had served the public. He commended leadership within the Nigeria Union of Pensioners for their cooperation and patience during the phased payments.

The government has emphasised that payments are made directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts to ensure funds reach the rightful recipients and to reduce opportunities for corruption or inefficiency. Verification processes are ongoing to correctly identify eligible retirees and heirs of deceased civil servants, ensuring that all payments are properly accounted for.

Pensioners and their families welcomed the payments, expressing relief at receiving funds that had been long overdue. Some also indicated support for Governor Yusuf’s administration, reflecting the importance of pension and retirement welfare in local politics. Analysts and civil society stakeholders noted that Kano’s payments highlight a wider challenge faced by Nigerian states, where governments often contend with substantial pension and gratuity liabilities amid limited resources. Advocates have urged state governments to strengthen pension systems and adopt sustainable financial planning to prevent similar backlogs from recurring.

Financial documents from the state indicate that gratuity and pension liabilities remain a significant component of Kano’s public finances, making systematic settlements and adequate budgeting essential to meeting future obligations. As the administration works to complete the backlog within the year, retirees and pensioner groups are closely monitoring the process, hopeful that their long‑awaited benefits will be fully honoured. Successfully clearing the backlog will mark a major milestone in the state’s management of social welfare obligations and may provide a model for other states facing similar challenges.

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