Bauchi State Unveils N11.7bn Gratuity Payout for Retirees After Decade-Long Wait

The Bauchi State Government has initiated a significant disbursement of N11.7 billion to settle outstanding gratuities owed to 5,736 retired civil servants, a backlog that has persisted since 2012. This announcement was made by Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau on behalf of Governor Bala Mohammed.

The payout aims to address pension liabilities inherited from previous administrations, with the total outstanding obligation recorded at N11,704,200,221.83. This figure covers retirees who served between 2012 and 2016, highlighting the extent of the financial commitment.

The breakdown of the gratuity payout reveals that N6,132,505,444.44 is allocated for 3,570 state government retirees, while N5,579,694,779.39 is designated for 2,256 local government retirees. An initial sum of N10 billion has been earmarked for the process, which will be executed in phases based on the age of the debt and the availability of funds.

A committee, led by former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Sabiu Baba, is overseeing the disbursement in collaboration with the Bauchi State Contributory Pension Commission, which is tasked with validating and reconciling the records of pensioners.

The first phase of the payment will prioritize local government retirees from the 2012–2013 period, as well as state civil service retirees from 2013. However, the government assures that those outside this initial phase will not be overlooked, promising continued payments until the backlog is fully cleared.

Recognizing the long wait many pensioners have endured—some for over a decade, with a few passing away before receiving their entitlements—the government has mandated the pension commission and participating banks to streamline processes and eliminate corruption.

Verification teams have been instructed to prioritize elderly and physically challenged retirees to ensure they receive timely assistance. Pensioners have been encouraged to cooperate with verification officials and provide necessary documentation for a smoother payment process.

This latest initiative builds upon previous efforts by the Bauchi State Government, which allocated N5 billion for gratuities and N8.5 billion for pensions in its 2025 budget as part of its social benefits program.

Looking ahead, the government is also committed to establishing a fully automated pension system to prevent future accumulations of unpaid retirement benefits, ensuring a more efficient process for upcoming retirees.