Kano gratuity payments have reached N32 billion over the past three years, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has disclosed, as the state continues efforts to clear a backlog of retirement entitlements inherited from the previous administration.
Governor Yusuf shared the figures while flagging off the sixth tranche of benefits for retirees on Wednesday in Kano.
The N32 billion paid to date represents part of the N48 billion owed in Kano gratuity payments and death benefits that accumulated before the current administration took office in May 2023.
Yusuf said the backlog was inherited when he assumed office, noting that his government had pledged to address the long‑standing liabilities.
“The state government inherited a N48 billion backlog of gratuity and death benefits from the previous administration,” the governor said during the flag‑off ceremony of the sixth payment tranche worth N5 billion.
Prior to the latest disbursement, the administration had settled N27 billion across five earlier tranches.
With the N5 billion released in the sixth tranche, total Kano gratuity payments now stand at N32 billion, leaving a remaining portion of the backlog yet to be cleared.
Governor Yusuf reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to paying the outstanding N16 billion balance before the end of the year.
He said completing the settlement was a priority for the administration to “alleviate the sufferings of the retirees and their families.”
The governor described the continuation of Kano gratuity payments as part of his administration’s broader promise to restore trust in government and uphold social justice for civil servants who had served the state.
He highlighted that fulfilling these obligations was a moral duty and essential to preserving the dignity of retirees.
At the event, Governor Yusuf also commended the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners for their patience as the backlog was being addressed.
Some pensioners present expressed gratitude for the disbursements, with several pledging continued support for the governor’s administration into the 2027 election cycle.
The focus on Kano gratuity payments underscores a significant effort by the state government to tackle long‑standing financial obligations to retired civil servants.
The backlog of benefits was accumulated over several years under a previous administration, and its resolution has been a central element of the current government’s social policy commitments.
Governor Yusuf’s approach to settling Kano gratuity payments aligns with broader reforms in public sector financial management, aimed at reducing liabilities that can affect budget performance and social welfare.
Such payments are often used by other states as a benchmark of government responsiveness to civil servant welfare.
Pension and retirement benefits in Nigerian states, including gratuity and death benefits, typically involve periodic payments to retirees and their beneficiaries, with amounts varying based on years of service and statutory entitlements.
Settlement of arrears can bolster retirees’ economic security and reduce hardship for families.
The completion of all outstanding Kano gratuity payments is expected to provide financial relief to civil servants who had endured delays in receiving entitlements.
It may also influence public perception of the state government’s commitment to welfare obligations as it continues its tenure.
