AKURE, NIGERIA — Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has commenced the payment of N3.897 billion in gratuities to 1,038 local government workers and teachers who retired in 2015, marking the continuation of his administration’s phased settlement of inherited pension liabilities.
The disbursement, flagged off on Thursday at the International Culture and Event Centre in Akure, covers retirees from the state’s Local Government Service Commission and the State Universal Basic Education Board. The payment follows the earlier release of N3.82 billion to 985 retirees from the state civil service and local government councils, bringing the total cleared under Governor Aiyedatiwa to over N7.7 billion since he assumed office.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Aiyedatiwa, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to clearing all outstanding gratuity arrears owed to retirees. He described the payment as a moral obligation and a demonstration of his government’s respect for the contributions of retired workers to the development of Ondo State.
“We understand the sacrifices you made during your active years of service. It is our duty to ensure that you are not neglected in retirement. This payment is a token of our appreciation and a fulfilment of our promise to prioritise the welfare of our pensioners,” the governor stated.
The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Omotunde Akinleye, who provided a breakdown of the payment, said the N3.897 billion was disbursed from the state’s consolidated revenue fund, adding that the government had made adequate provisions in the 2026 budget for the settlement of outstanding gratuities.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ondo State Chapter, Comrade Yemi Akinola, commended the governor for his consistency in meeting the demands of retirees. He noted that the payment had brought relief to hundreds of families and urged the government to sustain the momentum until all arrears were cleared.
“We appreciate Governor Aiyedatiwa for keeping his word. This payment means a lot to our members and their families. We appeal to the government to continue in this direction so that all outstanding liabilities can be settled,” Akinola stated.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to journalists expressed gratitude to the governor, describing the payment as long overdue. Mrs. Adejoke Ogunleye, a retired teacher, said she had been waiting for her gratuity for over a decade. “I never thought I would receive this money in my lifetime. I thank the governor for remembering us,” she said.
The Ondo State Government has also announced plans to clear the outstanding gratuities of retirees from 2016 to 2020 in subsequent phases. The government said it would continue to explore avenues to boost its internally generated revenue to fund the payment of pension liabilities, which are estimated at over N33 billion inherited from previous administrations. For the retirees of Ondo State, the latest disbursement represents another important step in restoring dignity and security in their post-service years.
