Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has announced the payment of ₦13.94 billion in outstanding gratuities owed to retirees in the state from 2011 to 2023.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Government House in Gusau during the presentation of a report by the joint committees on backlog gratuities, Governor Lawal described the clearance as a major milestone in his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare. He also inaugurated the Contributory Pension Implementation Committee during the event.

According to a statement by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor revealed that ₦7.96 billion was paid to 3,824 retired state workers, while ₦5.98 billion went to 4,833 retirees from the unified local government service, bringing the total to nearly ₦14 billion.

“Our administration inherited over ₦13 billion in unpaid gratuities from 2011 to 2023. These delays brought hardship, and sadly, some retirees died without receiving their entitlements. May their souls rest in peace,” he said.

Governor Lawal explained that two committees were set up to review and recommend payment plans for the backlog, prioritising civil servants who had served for 35 years or had reached the retirement age.

He added that since assuming office two years ago, his government has cleared three months’ worth of outstanding salaries and allowances for civil and public servants, including long-overdue entitlements for judges and judiciary staff.

“When we came in, the state minimum wage was ₦7,000. The ₦30,000 minimum wage signed into law in 2019 had not been implemented. We enforced it, and when the wage was reviewed to ₦70,000 in July 2024, we complied after due process,” Lawal stated.

He also highlighted new welfare initiatives introduced under his administration, including Sallah bonuses and a 13th-month productivity bonus for civil servants and public officeholders—both firsts in Zamfara’s history.

Lawal noted that the prompt settlement of gratuity arrears has helped rebuild trust in public institutions and governance. He reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with regulated pension fund administrators as part of the state’s broader pension reform efforts.

While inaugurating the Contributory Pension Implementation Committee, he said the committee would partner with the Ministry of Justice, the State Pension Commission, ZITDA, and other stakeholders to review and update pension laws and prepare for a smooth transition to the Contributory Pension Scheme.

“The committee will assess ICT capacity, training needs, and develop a clear, step-by-step strategy to ensure a seamless rollout of the new scheme,” he said.

The governor commended the joint committee for its dedication and pledged his administration’s continued commitment to ensuring timely and sustainable retirement benefits for all workers.