The Enugu State Government has permitted the cost of N32 billion in excellent gratuity arrears owed to retired civil servants courting again to 2000, with an preliminary N10 billion scheduled for disbursement subsequent week.
The approval kinds a part of Governor Peter Mbah’s efforts to settle inherited retirement obligations and tackle longstanding cost delays affecting pensioners throughout the state.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this on Friday, October 16, 2026, whereas briefing journalists following the State Executive Council assembly in Enugu.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Onyia stated the federal government had accomplished a complete verification train to set up the precise quantity owed to retirees over the previous 26 years.
Enugu outlines N32 billion cost plan
Onyia defined that the state authorities would launch N10 billion month-to-month between October and December 2026 as a part of a phased settlement association.
He famous that the cost construction was designed to be certain that verified retirees acquired their excellent advantages with out additional delays.
- “Once the first N10 billion is exhausted, another N10 billion will be released, followed by the third tranche until the outstanding arrears are cleared,” he stated.
The SSG disclosed that the N32 billion obligation had already been captured within the state’s 2026 price range and permitted by the Enugu State House of Assembly.
He attributed the buildup of arrears to years of irregular and unstructured gratuity funds below earlier administrations.
Local Government Gratuity Arrears Exceed N10 Billion
Beyond the state authorities’s gratuity obligations, Onyia disclosed that excellent native authorities gratuity arrears have been estimated at over N10 billion.
- He stated Governor Mbah had permitted a gathering of the State Economic Council to evaluation the liabilities and decide an acceptable settlement framework.
- One proposal into account includes deducting N1 billion month-to-month from native authorities funds to settle the excellent obligations over roughly 10 months.
- The authorities has additionally verified 66,783 serving and retired employees to get rid of irregularities and guarantee transparency within the cost course of.
Retirees who skilled difficulties throughout verification have been suggested to submit complaints to the committee working below the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
Onyia maintained that the administration had continued paying pensions and gratuities to employees retiring below the present authorities whereas addressing inherited liabilities.
Enugu’s Previous Pension Payment Efforts
The newest approval follows earlier efforts by the Enugu State Government to tackle excellent pension obligations inherited from earlier administrations.
The newest dedication additionally comes amid improved income technology in Enugu. In February 2026, Nairametrics reported that the state generated N406.8 billion in internally generated revenue in 2025, reaching roughly 80% of its annual goal. The enhance adopted reforms aimed toward increasing the state’s income base and decreasing dependence on federal allocations.
