After months of uncertainty and financial strain, retirees in Jigawa State, Nigeria, have finally received their long-awaited retirement benefits. The Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme faced significant challenges that led to a delay in gratuity and retirement benefits payments, leaving many retirees in distress.
Governor Umar Namadi took decisive action by appointing a committee of experts to investigate the root cause of the payment delays affecting retired civil servants. The committee revealed that several issues had contributed to the pension scheme’s financial strain. This included the failure of the 27 local governments within the state to remit at least N3.2 billion in statutory pension deductions and contributions from 2014 to 2021, primarily due to a surge in retirements among local government staff. The resultant employment gap over several years had placed an overwhelming burden on the available pension funds.
To alleviate the retirees’ plight, the state executive council approved a N2 billion loan dedicated to settling the gratuity payments owed to retired civil servants. This significant step aimed to provide relief and financial security to those who had faithfully served the state.
Kamilu Musa, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme Board, disclosed that the scheme had disbursed over N1.823 billion in terminal benefits to 702 workers who exited active service between 2023 and January 2024. Musa expressed gratitude to the citizens of the state for their continued support and urged them to uphold the government in their prayers. He emphasized the collective goal of creating a prosperous and comfortable environment for all citizens through the shared prosperity agenda, stating that the prompt payment of pensions had rekindled hope and vitality for pensioners across the state.
The resolution of the retirees’ benefits issue in Jigawa State stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to addressing the welfare of its retired civil servants, bringing forth tears of joy and relief after a period of uncertainty and financial strain.
