Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, on Thursday flagged off the disbursement of N21 billion accrued liability for life and death benefits to workers of the state and local governments at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.
The payment, which covers benefits up to October 2025, brings the total amount released by the administration since inception to N45.89 billion for 14,560 beneficiaries drawn from both state and local government service. The beneficiaries include retirees and families of workers who died while in active service across the 34 local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the event, Governor Radda said settling outstanding pension and gratuity liabilities was a core part of his vision before contesting for office, stressing that retirees deserved dignity, respect and peace of mind after years of service to the state.
“From the time I started nursing the idea to contest for the seat of Katsina State Governor, one of my main visions was how to develop a workable strategy to settle all outstanding liabilities of benefits to workers that retired and those that died while in active service,” Radda stated.
He disclosed that the State and Local Government Pension Reform Committee verified a total accrued liability of N23.99 billion as of August 2023. According to him, this figure comprised N10.35 billion owed to state government staff and N13.64 billion owed to local government and local education authority workers.
The governor explained that since assuming office, his administration had taken deliberate steps to clear the backlog through phased payments. He said that from inception to date, N18.56 billion had been approved for 4,743 state beneficiaries, while N27.33 billion was released for 9,817 local government and local education authority beneficiaries.
Governor Radda also announced the signing into law of the New Contributory Pension Law 2025, describing it as a historic reform designed to align the state’s pension system with global best practices. He said the new law would eliminate administrative bottlenecks and ensure the prompt and transparent payment of retirement benefits.
As part of the reform process, the governor inaugurated the Katsina State Pension Bureau, chaired by Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, and the Katsina State Pension Transition Board, chaired by Alhaji Garba Sanda. He saidThe boards were established to oversee the effective implementation of the new contributory pension scheme across the state.
Radda further disclosed that as of December 31, 2025, the Pension Bureau had collected over N19 billion in combined employer and employee contributions. He added that the funds had already generated more than N668 million in investment income since June 2025, indicating early gains from prudent fund management.
Commending the state’s civil service, the governor described it as vibrant, professional and efficient. He assured workers of his administration’s commitment to continuous improvements in conditions of service, timely promotions and expanded training opportunities to enhance productivity and professionalism.
He also acknowledged the resuscitation and strengthening of the Local Government Service Commission, noting that the move was aimed at ensuring full career development privileges for local government workers and restoring confidence in the local government system.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of Civil Service of Katsina State, Mallam Falalu Bawale, commended the governor for releasing N46 billion to settle gratuity liabilities owed to retired and deceased civil servants. He said the payments had brought relief to thousands of families across the state.
Bawale assured the governor that workers across state and local governments and local education authorities would reciprocate the gesture through patriotism, renewed commitment to duty and support for the administration’s development agenda. He also praised the government’s worker friendly policies, particularly the introduction of merit based criteria for the selection of Permanent Secretaries.
The Head of Service further commended organised labour in the state for playing a stabilising role in the civil service and for offering constructive suggestions that had contributed to administrative reforms and improved labour relations.
Speaking at the event, Katsina State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hussaini Hamisu Yanduna, praised Governor Radda for demonstrating strong political will and commitment to workers’ welfare.
“As Nigeria Labour Congress, we commend His Excellency for demonstrating uncommon political will and sincere commitment to workers’ welfare. This reflects leadership that understands that government’s strength is built on the welfare of its people, especially those who have laboured tirelessly in public service,” Yanduna said.
Also speaking, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, recalled the governor’s interventions since assuming office in 2023. He noted that the administration had previously released N44 billion and now another N21 billion to clear pension arrears.
Abumisi commended the governor for providing free healthcare for state pensioners and for subsidising essential goods through the Consumers’ Shop initiative. He described pensioners in Katsina State as blessed under the current administration.
However, he appealed to the governor to direct the commencement of the 1 percent check off dues deduction from pensioners’ monthly pensions as provided for in the Trade Union Act 2004, noting that the current N100 flat rate was inadequate to sustain the union’s financial obligations.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Executive Secretary of the State and Local Government Pension Transition Board, Hon. Muktar Ammani Aliyu, expressed gratitude to the governor for his sustained efforts in infrastructural and human capital development across the state.
Aliyu, making his first public appearance in the new role, thanked Governor Radda for ensuring prompt monthly salary and pension payments at a time when some states were reportedly owing up to 90 months of pension arrears. He also acknowledged the efforts of the State and Local Government Pension and Gratuity Reform Committee under the leadership of Dr. Farouk Aminu for ensuring the success of the disbursement exercise.
Governor Radda assured that the final payment of accrued liabilities marked a new beginning for pension administration in Katsina State. He pledged that no retired worker would leave service with unfulfilled entitlements or lingering uncertainties going forward.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, Speaker of the House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, the Secretary to the State Government Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, members of the State Executive Council, members of the State House of Assembly and thousands of beneficiaries from across the state.
