The Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme Board has disbursed over N6.2 billion in entitlements to 2,472 beneficiaries between January and October this year.
The Executive Secretary of the scheme, Dr. Binyaminu Shittu Aminu, announced this on Monday during a briefing for October beneficiaries at the Pension House, Dutse.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Head of Service, Jigawa State, Isma’il Ibrahim Dutse, Aminu stated that the benefits were paid as terminal entitlements to those who retired from service in January, February, May, July and October this year.
Dr. Aminu clarified that the payments covered retired staff from the state and local government councils, as well as Local Education Authorities (LEAs). The funds were distributed as retirement benefits, death benefits and death pension balances to the 2,472 beneficiaries.
According to Aminu, a total of N4,943,596,071.55 was distributed among 2,002 retirees as retirement benefits. Additionally, N1,123,625,833.01 was paid to 370 families of deceased civil servants as death benefits, while N132,946,281.62 was disbursed to 100 families of deceased pensioners as death pension balances.
For Monday’s payment, the Executive Secretary revealed that N1,208,958,995.09 would be disbursed to 484 beneficiaries. The amount covers various payments, including retirement benefits, death benefits and death pension balances.
Breaking down the beneficiaries, Dr. Shittu noted that 182 were from the state service, 105 from local governments and 101 from Local Education Authorities. Specifically, N536,994,261.94 would go to state service beneficiaries, N218,569,517.17 to local government beneficiaries and N210,531,888.54 to LEA beneficiaries.
Dr. Shittu reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to the timely disbursement of entitlements, including the payment of monthly pensions on the first day of each month. He emphasised the state government’s dedication to improving workers’ welfare and ensuring they enjoy a secure and fulfilling life after service. He also commended Governor Namadi for his support and efforts to improve the scheme since the inception of his administration.
The Executive Secretary urged retirees and serving civil servants to continue praying for the government to achieve its objectives and acknowledged the efforts of the current administration.
On his part, the Jigawa State Head of Service, Alhaji Muhammad K. Dagaceri, disclosed that the state was up to date with the payment of entitlements to retirees, including those who died in active service.
“The Board and the state government will continue to ensure the welfare of their workers for better service delivery and the well-being of retirees after service,” he stated.
Dagaceri added that Governor Namadi’s administration had injected over N15 billion into the scheme between May 2023 and October 2026, preventing its collapse and instilling confidence among retiring civil servants. He expressed gratitude to Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi for his continued support and reforms.
Comrade Sunusi Alhassan Maigatari, the Jigawa State NLC Chairman, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Hazakilu Kore, stated that Jigawa’s pension model was among the best in the country, adding that more than 20 states had visited to learn from its approach. He expressed gratitude to the state government for paying the benefits.
“I’m grateful to the government for paying workers their benefits. It’s a big relief for us,” the NLC boss said. He also commended the Pension Board for its efforts to ensure timely disbursement and urged the government to sustain its support for retirees.
