Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Wednesday pledged to clear all outstanding gratuities and death benefits worth 21 billion naira ($14 million) owed to pensioners and families of deceased civil servants before the end of his first four-year term in 2027.
The Independent Mirror reports that Speaking at the Government House in Kano during the release of a fifth tranche of payments totaling 5 billion naira, Yusuf said his administration had so far disbursed 27 billion naira in pension-related liabilities since taking office in 2023.
“Over 50% of the 12,000 pensioners have already received their full benefits,” Yusuf said in a statement issued by his spokesman Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. “We are reaffirming our commitment to end the suffering and hardship they have endured for a long time.”
The governor thanked pensioners for their patience and pledged to bring “final relief” to retirees and families who have waited years for entitlements.
The ceremony included the presentation of cheques for death benefits and instant postings of payment alerts.
The Emir of Rano, Dr. Muhammad Isa Umaru, who represented the Chairman of the Kano Emirates Council, Muhammad Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, commended Yusuf for clearing part of the backlog, noting that pensioners under the previous administration were allegedly forced to pay bribes before accessing their benefits.
Yusuf also lauded the support of pension managers, including the Kano Pension Trustee Fund’s chairman, Habu Muhammad Fagge, and the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners.