The Enugu State Government has authorized the fee of N32 billion in excellent gratuity arrears owed to retired civil servants relationship 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 handle longstanding fee 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 mentioned 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 fee 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 fee construction was designed to be sure 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 mentioned.
The SSG disclosed that the N32 billion obligation had already been captured within the state’s 2026 finances and authorized by the Enugu State House of Assembly.
He attributed the buildup of arrears to years of irregular and unstructured gratuity funds beneath earlier administrations.
Local Government Gratuity Arrears Exceed N10 Billion
Beyond the state authorities’s gratuity obligations, Onyia disclosed that excellent native authorities gratuity arrears had been estimated at over N10 billion.
- He mentioned Governor Mbah had authorized a gathering of the State Economic Council to assessment the liabilities and decide an applicable settlement framework.
- One proposal into account entails 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 remove irregularities and guarantee transparency within the fee course of.
Retirees who skilled difficulties throughout verification have been suggested to submit complaints to the committee working beneath the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
Onyia maintained that the administration had continued paying pensions and gratuities to employees retiring beneath 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 handle excellent pension obligations inherited from earlier administrations.
The newest dedication additionally comes amid improved income era 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 geared toward increasing the state’s income base and lowering dependence on federal allocations.
