Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved and commenced the payment of ₦2.396 billion as gratuity arrears to 2016 and 2017 retirees in the state civil service, in what marks another bold step to restore the dignity and welfare of senior citizens in the state.
The payment, flagged off on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the Cocoa Conference Centre, Governor’s Office, Akure, fulfilled one of the Governor’s major pledges to clear all outstanding pension and gratuity arrears inherited by his administration.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Governor said the payment was part of a deliberate and well-planned strategy to ensure fairness and transparency in the treatment of retirees who had served the state meritoriously.
The statement reads partly: “This is a culmination of our administration’s sincerity of purpose and unwavering resolve to honour men and women who gave their strength, intellect and years of service to the development of Ondo State.
“We are resolutely committed to clearing all backlog of gratuity obligations. Our retirees deserve empathy, honour, and respect. This is not an act of favour; it is a moral and constitutional duty we hold dear.”
“Retirement is not an end but a dignified transition that deserves honour, fairness, and respect.”
“Since assuming office, we have consistently released ₦180 million monthly to defray gratuity arrears while ensuring regular payment of pensions at both state and local government levels.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasised that the “year of exit” system remains the sole criterion for gratuity qualification, describing it as a fair approach that eliminates bias and confusion in payment order.
He maintained that the payment of N2.396 billion was a continuation of the government’s structured plan to settle long-standing obligations and restore confidence among retirees.
He also recalled that barely a week before, his administration had disbursed ₦1.4 billion to local government and primary school retirees, signalling the state’s renewed commitment to ending pension-related hardship.
While reaffirming his government’s focus on people-centred governance, the Governor listed other welfare interventions, including the payment of N2.236 billion to 2015 retirees, a N30,000 monthly allowance for pensioners as fuel subsidy relief, the installation of solar-powered streetlights, digital infrastructure investments, and the O’Datiwa Metering Programme, which has provided over 15,000 meters within one year.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also mentioned new developmental efforts, including the construction of a six-kilometre road linking Scab Filling Station to Imafon and the establishment of the State Senior Secondary Education Board, noting that infrastructure and welfare remain twin priorities of his administration.
The Governor urged retirees to enrol in the Ondo State Health Insurance Scheme, describing access to healthcare as “the foundation of happiness and longevity.”
He assured that his administration would continue to ensure that pensioners and public servants receive what is due to them promptly.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Pension Transitional Department, Mrs Bunmi Alade, commended the Governor for prioritising retirees’ welfare despite numerous competing developmental needs, disclosing that this was the first time in the state’s history that two full years of gratuity arrears were cleared simultaneously.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ondo State chapter, Comrade Johnson Osuyemi, expressed deep appreciation to the Governor for restoring the dignity and confidence of retirees who had endured years of financial hardship.
Osuyemi noted that some pensioners had been pushed to the brink of collapse due to delayed benefits but said the Governor’s monthly payment structure had become “a lifeline for many senior citizens.”
He said the union remained optimistic under Aiyedatiwa’s leadership, describing him as “a compassionate leader who understands the struggles of those who built the foundation of public service in Ondo State.”
The event was attended by top state officials including the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip, members of the State Executive Council, and several Permanent Secretaries and accounting officers.