Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has approved the release of more than N1.8 billion to settle gratuities, death benefits and other outstanding entitlements owed to retirees, contract workers and families of deceased civil servants across the state.
The approval was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of Service, Malami Shekare, and signed by the Director of Administration, Rashidu Muhammad-Bala.
According to the statement, the funds were released in two separate phases to cover a wide pool of beneficiaries.
“The first phase covered March 16 to June 15, 2025, with ₦933.03 million paid to 404 beneficiaries, while the second phase from June 16 to September 15, 2025, saw ₦932.95 million disbursed to 443 beneficiaries”, the statement read.
Officials explained that the beneficiaries included workers from the state civil service, local government councils, local government education authorities, contract staff and dependants of deceased public servants.
The disbursement comes at a time when retirees across the country have intensified calls for the prompt payment of retirement benefits, as economic pressures and fiscal challenges continue to delay payouts at both state and federal levels.
Kebbi State has also been managing inherited pension and gratuity liabilities spanning several years.
Since assuming office in 2023, Governor Idris has repeatedly placed workers’ welfare at the centre of his administration, introducing measures aimed at restoring confidence in the public service and addressing long-standing labour concerns.
Outstanding entitlements, particularly death benefits, have been a recurring issue raised by labour unions and families of deceased workers in the state.
Commenting on the development, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, said the approval reflects ongoing efforts to clear accumulated arrears and reduce the backlog of unpaid benefits.
He said the gesture reinforces Idris’ commitment to restore dignity to retirees and support families who lost breadwinners while in service.
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