By Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Katsina, Jan. 15 — Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Thursday commenced the disbursement of N21 billion to settle accrued life and death benefits for state, local government and local education authority workers, reaffirming his administration’s commitment that no retiree would leave service with unpaid entitlements.
The exercise, which covers liabilities up to October 2025, brings the total amount released by the Radda administration since inception to N45.89 billion, benefiting 14,560 retirees and families of deceased workers across the state and its 34 local government areas.
The governor flagged off the disbursement at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina, where he said settling outstanding pension and gratuity obligations was a core vision of his administration even before assuming office.
Governor Radda disclosed that a verification exercise conducted by the State and Local Government Pension Reform Committee established a total liability of N23.99 billion as of August 2023, comprising N10.35 billion for state workers and N13.64 billion for local government and local education authority personnel.
According to him, N18.56 billion has so far been paid to 4,743 state beneficiaries, while N27.33 billion was released for 9,817 local government and LGEA beneficiaries.
The governor also announced the signing of the New Contributory Pension Law 2025, describing it as a landmark reform designed to align the state’s pension administration with global best practices and eliminate delays in benefit payments.
As part of the reforms, he inaugurated the Katsina State Pension Bureau, chaired by Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, and the Katsina State Pension Transition Board, chaired by Alhaji Garba Sanda, to oversee the implementation of the new scheme.
Governor Radda revealed that as of December 31, 2025, the Pension Bureau had mobilized over N19 billion in combined employer and employee contributions, generating more than N668 million in investment income since June 2025.
Commending the state’s civil service for professionalism and efficiency, the governor assured workers of sustained improvements in conditions of service, timely promotions and enhanced training opportunities. He also noted the revival and strengthening of the Local Government Service Commission to guarantee full career progression for council workers.
Earlier, the Head of Civil Service, Mallam Falalu Bawale, praised the governor for releasing about N46 billion to clear gratuity liabilities, describing the gesture as unprecedented. He assured that workers would reciprocate with renewed dedication and support for the administration’s development agenda.
Organised labour leaders also lauded the initiative. The Katsina State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Hussaini Hamisu Yanduna, described the governor’s action as a demonstration of uncommon political will, while the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Comrade Godwin Abumisi, said pensioners in Katsina had enjoyed improved welfare under the current administration.
Katsina Deputy Governor, Malam Farouk Lawal Jobe
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura; Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Abdullahi Garba Faskari; members of the State Executive Council, senior civil servants and thousands of beneficiaries.
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State.
