KTSG paid ₦45.89bn gratuities, recruited over 12,000 workers in three years – HoS

By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times

The Katsina State Government has paid ₦45.89 billion in gratuities and death benefits to 14,560 retirees and families of deceased civil servants while recruiting more than 12,000 workers across key sectors since Governor Dikko Umar Radda assumed office in 2023, the state's Head of the Civil Service, Alhaji Falalu Bawale, has said.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Katsina Times, on Thursday 6, August 2026, Bawale said the administration had implemented wide-ranging reforms aimed at improving workers' welfare, strengthening public service delivery and ensuring transparency in appointments and promotions.

He said one of the administration's major achievements was the prompt payment of salaries, noting that civil servants now receive their monthly wages between the 22nd and 25th of every month.

"Since this administration came on board, workers have never waited until the end of the month before receiving their salaries. Salaries and pensions are paid promptly, and there are no outstanding salary arrears," he said.

According to him, the government inherited substantial gratuity liabilities dating back to 2019 but immediately prioritised clearing the backlog upon assumption of office.

Bawale disclosed that the administration has so far paid ₦45,885,776,176.45 to 14,560 beneficiaries, comprising retired civil servants and next-of-kin of deceased workers.

He said gratuity payments have covered retirees up to March 2026, while verification of those who retired between March and June 2026 is ongoing.

The Head of Service added that Governor Radda had directed pension authorities to develop a framework that would enable retiring civil servants to receive their gratuities immediately after retirement in order to eliminate future backlogs.

On employment, Bawale said the government first absorbed 7,323 teachers previously engaged under the S-Power programme before embarking on additional recruitment across the education, health and other sectors.

He said more than 12,000 workers had been employed within the last three years, adding that another recruitment exercise for health workers would soon commence to address manpower shortages caused by retirements.

The Head of Service also said the government had invested over ₦400 million in staff development, with more than 3,000 civil servants benefiting from local and overseas training programmes, workshops and academic studies.

He said the beneficiaries included officers pursuing Diploma, Higher National Diploma (HND), Bachelor's and Master's degrees, as well as medical professionals undergoing specialist training.

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To improve workers' welfare, Bawale said Governor Radda approved an additional ₦200 million for the state's revolving staff loan scheme, through which 1,182 civil servants have so far accessed loans for housing improvements, vehicle repairs and other personal needs.

He added that the administration had introduced an annual productivity award to encourage excellence in the civil service.

According to him, 10 outstanding workers have received official vehicles, while 17 others were rewarded with ₦2 million each in recognition of exceptional performance.

On promotions, Bawale said the government had replaced the previous promotion system with competency-based examinations conducted in collaboration with Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic.

He said 3,814 civil servants had successfully passed the examinations, earned promotions and received all their financial entitlements.

The Head of Service also said the appointment process for Permanent Secretaries had been reformed to ensure merit and transparency.

Under the new system, he said, eligible officers must attain Grade Level 16 or 17, serve as directors for at least two years, have at least one year before retirement, qualify through their respective local government vacancies and pass a competitive examination before appointment.

"There is no favouritism anymore. Merit and competence now determine appointments," he said.

Bawale further disclosed that the state government distributed 2,416 bags of rice and 674 bags of millet to civil servants in 2024 as part of measures to cushion the effects of rising living costs.

He added that three 18-seater buses were procured for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to provide subsidised transportation for workers.

The Head of Service also revealed that the government approved career conversion for 45 civil servants following specialised training at the Katsina Directorate of Information and Communication Technology (KADICT) and established a Skills Gap Analysis Committee to identify manpower needs and improve workforce planning.

Bawale said Governor Radda's experience as a former civil servant had influenced his administration's commitment to improving workers' welfare and reforming the state's public service.

He expressed confidence that the reforms had strengthened the civil service by promoting efficiency, accountability and merit-based career progression.