On Zulum’s N5.81bn gratuity payment to retirees, families of deceased workers

I write as a concerned citizen of Borno state to express my appreciation to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for the release of N5.81 billion to clear outstanding gratuities owed to retired civil servants and families of deceased workers. The presentation made recently the Council Chamber, Government House, Maiduguri, is a step that deserves public commendation.  

For many years, our parents, uncles, and neighbors who served Borno State diligently retired only to wait endlessly for their benefits. Worse still, families of deceased civil servants have struggled to survive without the gratuities left behind by their breadwinners. The release of N2,992,301,964.95 to families of deceased workers and N2,822,528,306.99 to pensioners up to December 2022, including Housing Corporation staff from 2013, brings long-awaited relief.  

This gesture is more than money. It is about dignity. It tells retirees that their years of service were not forgotten. It tells widows and orphans that government still cares. When the Governor said these families are “battling with life’s challenges,” he spoke the truth many of us witness daily in our communities.  

I also note that this is part of a consistent effort. The monthly release of N200 million for gratuities, the N8 billion paid in 2025, and the N12 billion paid in 2020 show that this administration is deliberately working to clear the backlog. That consistency builds trust between government and citizens.  

The remarks by the commissioner for finance and the NLC vice chairman confirm what people on the ground are feeling: hope. When pensioners are paid, the money does not sit idle. It goes into food, school fees, health care, and small businesses. In this way, the entire local economy benefits.  

I was also encouraged by the governor’s pledge to engage local government workers soon. LG employees face unique challenges because of the size of the wage bill. A dialogue to find lasting solutions will go a long way towards improving service delivery at the grassroots.