Final payment of accrued pension and death benefits

Let me begin by expressing gratitude to Allah SWT for guiding me to succeed in achieving one of my major policies as a Governor of Katsina State. As most of you are aware, I started my journey as a classroom teacher, which is enough to assist me to have a clear understanding of the plight of the State and Local Government workers.

2. Previously, when the going was good, workers retired and paid all their benefits at the point of retirement. As time goes on, with the economic challenges in the country, non - challant attitudes of some leaders and their lack of clear cut direction, workers retired and waited for many years without receiving their benefits. So many cases were reported about workers that died due to frustration on non payment of their benefits. It is our resolve to treat retirees and those that died in active service, with dignity, respect and strong sense of social responsibility.

3. From the time I started nursing the idea to contest for the seat of Katsina State Governor, one of the main vision I had was on how to develop a workable strategy to settle all the outstanding liabilities of benefits to workers of the State and Local Governments that retired and those that died while in active service and thereafter re-introduce the payment of life and death benefits at the point of death or retirement. Alhamdulillah, Allah has answered our prayer as today we are here to flag off the last payment of liability in respect of retirement benefits workers of the State and Local Governments that retired or died from the last quarter of 2019 to October, 2025.

4. At the inception of the present administration, we constituted the State and Local Government Pension Reform Committee. The Committee was assigned to critically assess, screen and verify all the outstanding liabilities that accrued from 2020 and advise government as appropriate. The Committee verified all the Liability accrued in respect of the payment of gratuity to the Staff of the State and Local Governments. The report indicated that the sum of N10,351,857,250.35 was the verified liability to the retired Staff of the State and those that died while in active service. On the other hand the sum of N13,638,348,112.11 was the verified liability for the Staff of Local Governments and Local Education Authorities. The total liability as at August, 2023 as verified by the Committee for the State and Local Governments was the sum of N23,990,205,362.46.

5. The Committee started performing the assigned responsibilities by screening and verifying beneficiaries that retired or died in the last quarter of 2019. A report was submitted and the sum of N494,726,326.03 was approved, released and paid to the beneficiaries.

6. Due to the concern we have on the condition of the families of workers in the State and Local Governments that died while in service and those that died without collecting their benefits, we requested the State and Local Government Pension Reform Committee to screen and verify the records of all the affected beneficiaries. At the end of the verification, the sum of N1,745,031.181.50 was released and paid to 327 beneficiaries from the State from January, 2020 to August, 2023. Similarly, the sum of N283,842,076.24 was released and paid to 77No. Life to death beneficiaries from the State with effect from January, 2020 to August, 2023.

7. As the payment was going on, we requested the Committee to screen and verify beneficiaries that retired from January, 2020 to August, 2023 under the State. At the end of the verification, the sum of N8,083,102,440.01 was released and paid to 2,292 beneficiaries.

8. The last screening and verification was conducted for the beneficiaries that retired or died in active service from September, 2023 to October, 2025. At the end of the verification, the sum of N7,948,506,136.92 was approved for payment to 2,047 beneficiaries in a single one off payment in January, 2026.

9. On the other hand the Committee screened and verified beneficiaries from the 34 Local Governments and Local Education Authorities that died in active service from 2019 to August, 2023. At the end of the exercise the sum of N3,076,668,606.18 was released and paid to 867 beneficiaries. In addition the sum of N589,450,063.22 was released and paid to 235 beneficiaries that retired and died before they were paid their benefits.

10. The Committee screened and verified the staff of the 34 Local Governments and Local Education Authorities that retired from 2019 to August, 2023 after which the sum of N9,302,674,173.00 was released and paid to 3,993 beneficiaries.

11. Today, we are celebrating the final payment of the retirement benefits to 4,720 beneficiaries from the Local Governments and the Local Education Authorities. After the screening and verification, the sum of N14,361,875,172.85 was recommended and approved for payment to the beneficiaries in four installments, i.e from January to April, 2026.

12. In summary, from the inception of the present administration to date, the sum of N18,555,208,161.20 was approved for payment to 4,743 beneficiaries from the State and N27,330,668,015.25 for payment to 9,817 beneficiaries from the Local Governments and Local Education Authorities. All in all the sum of N45,885,776,176.45 was approved and released for payment to 14,560 beneficiaries from the State, Local Governments and Local Education Authorities.

13. The present administration has taken a historic step toward reforming pension administration in the state by signing into law the New Contributory Pension Law, 2025. This reform aligns with global best practices and is designed to streamline pension management, eliminate administrative bottlenecks, ensure prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, and restore public confidence in the system.

14. Under the new arrangement, the Katsina State Pension Bureau will oversee the Contributory Pension Scheme, while the old pension system will continue to operate—under the management of the State and Local Government Transition Board—until all existing beneficiaries have exited the system. The new law also establishes two distinct boards for the two agencies; each composed of individuals of proven integrity and competence.

15. To ensure a seamless and effective implementation of the new Pension Scheme in the State, I inaugurated the Katsina State Pension Bureau and Katsina State Pension Transition Board this morning in line with the provision of the Law that establishes the Bureau. The Board of the Pension Bureau is chaired by Alh. Ibrahim Boyi while that of the Pension Transition Board is chaired by Alh. Garba Sanda. The members of the Boards are people of proven integrity selected from across the State.

16. The Pension Bureau is central to safeguarding the welfare of our retirees who have dedicated their lives to building and sustaining the machinery of our state. Their sacrifices must never be forgotten, and their entitlements must never be delayed or denied.

17. As a government, our vision is clear: to build a pension system that is efficient, transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of retirees. We will deploy modern technology, strengthen internal controls, and promote a service culture that prioritizes people. We will continue to engage stakeholders, listen to concerns, and act with fairness and compassion.

18. As of December 31, 2025, the Bureau has successfully collected over ₦19 billion in combined employer and employee contributions. Additionally, since investment activities commenced in June 2025, the Bureau has generated more than ₦668 million in investment income demonstrating prudent financial management and a commitment to sustainability.

19. I wish to assure workers of the State, Local Governments and Local Education Authorities that the present administration will never be part of any arrangement to introduce anything that is against the interest of the people which in one way or the other will bring any form of hardship to the people of Katsina State.

20. We are aware of the active roles you played during the 2023 elections which led our success and subsequent swearing-in as Government of Katsina State.

21. It is pertinent to mention that the present administration has come up with so many welfare packages for the development of the people of Katsina State. So many other packages are in the pipeline and Insha Allah we will soon unveil them to cushion some hardships people are experiencing across the State.

22. Indeed, the present administration is very lucky to have inherited a vibrant and effective Civil Service that is professional, accountable, loyal and very efficient. Consequently, we have taken deliberate steps to create a conducive environment for them to perform their functions effectively. These, we are doing, through a constant review and provision of welfare packages, professional fulfillments and career progression. In other words, we have taken comprehensive improvements in conditions of service, ensuring that promotions are timely, advancements are merit based and training opportunities are regularly expanded. We are convinced that well trained Civil Servants constitute an invaluable asset not only to the government, but also to the broader society, given the critical responsibilities and far reaching under takings entrusted to them.

23. At this juncture, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the organized labour in Katsina State, namely the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria for their constant support and encouragement. With your understanding and co-operation, we are able to record the successes we are celebrating today and many more.

24. Despite the huge amount we inherited as the liability on the life and death benefits in respect of workers of the State and Local Governments, prompt payment of monthly salaries and pension to the existing workers and those that retired respectively are effectively maintained. This has, no doubt, significantly boosted the staff morale, enhanced productivity and reinforced trust in government.

25. Alhamdulillah, the present administration has recorded major successes in digitalization of the Civil Service, human resource transformation, performance management improvements, staff welfare, innovation and culture change initiatives. Today, the Civil Service of Katsina State is among the best in terms of productivity and service delivery.

26. One of the initiatives of our administration is the Comprehensive Personnel Audit and Skill Gap Analysis of the State Civil Service. A Committee is currently compiling a report which is expected to create a clean, reliable staff data base, eliminate ghost records, strengthen payroll integrity and guide targeted training, recruitment and deployment of staff. The report will provide a critical foundation for the successive plan and future of human resource management in the Public Service of Katsina State Government.

27. I wish to call on workers of the State and Local Governments to reciprocate the gesture by performing their responsibilities with objectivity, patriotism and professional commitments to ensure immense benefits not only to the Public Service but to the people of Katsina State in general.

28. In particular, the present administration has taken bold and deliberate steps to create conducive environment for workers in the Local Government Service. One of our notable achievements is the resuscitation and strengthening of the Local Government Service Commission to ensure that Local Government Workers enjoy full career development privileges, promotions and access to all establishment benefits. This guarantees that Local Government workers are not left behind and their careers grow with dignity and institutional support.

29. In conclusion, I wish to assure you that this last payment of liability of life and death benefits marks a new beginning. We have successfully achieved our determination to ensure that no retired workers leaves the service with unfulfilled entitlements or lingering uncertainties. We must honour your loyalty, sacrifices and dedication for the progress and development of Katsina State. I hope the amounts paid to you will be effectively utilized to maintain your respective families.

30. I wish all of you safe trip back to your respective destinations. Long live Katsina State and Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.