By Austine Agbo Emmanuel
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has approved the release of ₦2.321 billion for the payment of outstanding pensions, gratuities, and death benefits to retirees and families of deceased civil servants across the state.
The latest disbursement covers Accrued Rights under the Contributory Pension Scheme and Gratuity/Death Benefits under the old Defined Benefit Scheme. With this payment, the Sani administration has settled a total of ₦6.678 billion in 2025 and ₦13.5 billion since assuming office.
Announcing the approval on Sunday, the Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, said the gesture underscores the governor’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of pensioners and their families.
“Governor Uba Sani considers the welfare of pensioners and families of deceased civil servants a top priority. Regular and timely payments will continue to ease their hardship and ensure they live with dignity after years of service,” Maiyaki stated.
The Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Pension Bureau, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe, said 661 beneficiaries would benefit from the current batch with ₦1.736 billion allocated to 511 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme and ₦585 million for 315 pensioners and next of kin under the Defined Benefit Scheme.
He explained that retirees under the contributory scheme would have their funds credited directly into their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs), while those under the old scheme would undergo screening and verification to ensure transparency and accountability.
Governor Sani, in earlier remarks, emphasized that honouring retirees was both a legal obligation and a moral duty.
“They gave their best years to Kaduna State. It is our duty to ensure they enjoy a life of dignity in retirement,” he said.
Observers say the move aligns with the governor’s social protection agenda, which prioritizes clearing inherited pension arrears, reforming pension administration, and leveraging technology to ensure prompt payments.
Civil service unions and pensioners have commended the administration for sustaining what they described as “one of the most disciplined pension systems in Northern Nigeria.”
