Uba Sani releases ₦2.3bn for retirees, families of deceased workers

From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has approved the release of ₦2.321 billion for the settlement of pension entitlements, gratuities, and death benefits to retirees and families of deceased civil servants across the state.

The disbursement covers Accrued Rights under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and Gratuity/Death Benefits under the old Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). With this payment, Kaduna State has now paid out ₦6.678bn in 2025 and a total of ₦13.5bn in the last two years of the present administration.

Kaduna State Commissioner of Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, said the welfare of pensioners remains a top priority of the government, stressing that regular and timely payments will continue to ease the hardship of senior citizens.

According to the Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Balarabe –  Kaduna State Pension Bureau, the latest batch will benefit 661 retirees and families across State and Local Governments — with ₦1.736bn for Accrued Rights of 511 retirees under the CPS, and ₦585m for Gratuities and Death Benefits to 315 pensioners and next-of-kin under the DBS.

The Bureau further explained that for those under the Contributory Pension Scheme, their Accrued Rights will be credited directly into their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) with their respective Pension Fund Administrators, while pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme will soon be invited for screening and verification before payment.

Governor Uba Sani has consistently maintained that ensuring dignity for retirees is not just a statutory obligation, but a moral responsibility of government.

This approval, the statement concluded, further underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the livelihoods of pensioners, upholding their rights, and strengthening the trust of the Kaduna workforce.