The Enugu State administration has sanctioned approximately ₦32 billion to clear accumulated gratuity debts owed to retired civil servants, with the initial tranche of ₦10 billion set for disbursement starting next week.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, announced this on Friday while briefing journalists at the Government House, Enugu, after a State Executive Council meeting.
Onyia said the payment was part of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’s plan to clear inherited gratuity liabilities before the end of its first term.
He explained that the funds had been provided for in the 2026 budget approved by the Enugu State House of Assembly.
“This amount of money was put in the 2026 budget and approved by the Enugu State House of Assembly. So, it is in appropriation law,” he said.
According to the SSG, the government suspended the existing gratuity verification process in December 2025 and established a committee to review records dating back to 2000.
He said the approved amount was based on the outcome of the verification exercise, which covered 66,783 records across workforce and pension-gratuity categories.
Onyia added that the first ₦10 billion would be released to commence payments, while subsequent tranches would follow until the verified liability of approximately ₦32 billion was cleared.
“The gratuity owed to every retiree across the board from 2000 will be paid,” he said.
The SSG said the verification exercise was necessary to prevent fraudulent claims and ensure that only legitimate beneficiaries received payments. He added that retirees who had concerns about the outcome could submit complaints to the verification committee for review.
Onyia also disclosed that outstanding gratuity liabilities at the local government level were estimated at more than ₦10 billion.
He said Governor Mbah had approved a meeting of the state’s Economic Council to review the liabilities and facilitate payments to local government retirees.
The SSG clarified that the current exercise focused on legacy gratuities, noting that the administration had already commenced payment of outstanding pension obligations following the verification of eligible beneficiaries.
He said clearing the inherited liabilities would help prevent the continued accumulation of unpaid retirement benefits and support a more sustainable pension system in the state.
The briefing was attended by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Malachy Agbo; the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Barrister Chimaobi Okorie; and the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli.
What You Should Know
The Enugu State Government has rolled out a major financial intervention to clear legacy gratuity arrears dating back to the year 2000, bringing immense relief to thousands of retired workers who have long awaited their benefits.
- Positive Impact: Retirees will finally receive their long-overdue gratuities, providing financial stability and alleviating hardship for families across the state.
- Potential Concerns: While the first batch of ₦10 billion is ready, subsequent disbursements will depend on the timeline for clearing the total verified liability of ₦32 billion.
