Katsina — January 15, 2026
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Thursday commenced the disbursement of N21 billion in accrued life and death benefits to state, local government and local education authority workers, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and pension reforms.
The disbursement, which took place at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina, covers outstanding benefits up to October 2025 and brings the total amount released by the administration since inception to N45.89 billion, benefiting 14,560 retirees and families of deceased workers.
Speaking at the event, Governor Radda said settling pension and gratuity liabilities was a key priority of his administration even before assuming office, stressing that retirees deserved dignity and timely access to their entitlements.
He disclosed that the State and Local Government Pension Reform Committee had verified a total pension liability of N23.99 billion as of August 2023, comprising N10.35 billion for state workers and N13.64 billion for local government and local education authority employees.
According to the governor, N18.56 billion has so far been paid to 4,743 state beneficiaries, while N27.33 billion has been released to 9,817 beneficiaries at the local government and education authority levels.
Governor Radda also announced the signing into law of the Katsina State Contributory Pension Law 2025, describing it as a landmark reform aligned with global best practices aimed at eliminating delays and administrative bottlenecks in pension administration.
He further inaugurated the Katsina State Pension Bureau, chaired by Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, and the Katsina State Pension Transition Board, chaired by Alhaji Garba Sanda, to oversee the effective implementation of the new pension scheme.
The governor revealed that as of December 31, 2025, the Pension Bureau had received over N19 billion in combined employer and employee contributions, generating more than N668 million in investment income since June 2025.
Radda commended the state civil service for its professionalism and efficiency, assuring workers of improved conditions of service, timely promotions and enhanced training opportunities. He also noted the revival and strengthening of the Local Government Service Commission to ensure full career progression for local government employees.
Earlier, the Head of Civil Service of Katsina State, Mallam Falalu Bawale, praised the governor for releasing about N46 billion to clear gratuity liabilities owed to retired and deceased civil servants. He assured that workers would reciprocate the gesture through renewed commitment and support for the administration’s development agenda.
Bawale also commended the administration’s merit-based process for appointing permanent secretaries and acknowledged the role of organised labour in maintaining stability within the civil service.
In separate remarks, the Katsina State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Hussaini Hamisu Yanduna, described the governor’s action as a demonstration of strong political will and genuine concern for workers’ welfare.
Similarly, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Comrade Godwin Abumisi, said the administration had released over N44 billion in pension payments since 2023, in addition to the current N21 billion disbursement. He also commended the provision of free healthcare for pensioners and subsidised goods through the Consumers’ Shop initiative.
Abumisi, however, appealed to the governor to approve the commencement of a one per cent check-off dues deduction from pensioners’ monthly pensions, as provided under the Trade Union Act, noting that the existing flat-rate deduction was inadequate.
Delivering a vote of thanks, the Executive Secretary of the State and Local Government Pension Transition Board, Hon. Muktar Ammani Aliyu, lauded the governor for ensuring prompt payment of salaries and pensions, noting that some states were still owing several months of arrears.
Governor Radda assured beneficiaries that the clearance of accrued liabilities marked a new phase, pledging that no worker would retire from service without receiving full entitlements.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe; Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura; Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari; members of the State Executive Council, top civil servants and thousands of beneficiaries from across the state’s 34 local government areas.
