𝐎𝐧𝐝𝐨 State Government Finally d𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 ₦𝟐.𝟑𝟗𝐛𝐧 𝐭𝐨 C𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 R𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬’ G𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the disbursement of ₦2.396 billion in gratuity payments to retirees who exited the state civil service in 2016 and 2017.

The announcement was made during a flag-off ceremony at the Cocoa Conference Hall in the Governor’s Office, Akure, where retirees received their cheque.

This was contained in a statement issued via the government’s official X handle on Monday.

According to the statement, the disbursement will clear part of a decade-long backlog inherited from previous administrations.

“Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the payment of ₦2.396 billion gratuity arrears for retirees who exited the state civil service in 2016 and 2017, marking another major step in his administration’s effort to clear inherited pension backlogs,” the statement read.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Aiyedatiwa noted that the disbursement followed the recent release of ₦1.4 billion to local government and primary school retirees.

“This is not a coincidence but a product of consistent planning and sincerity of purpose,” the Governor said.

“Our retirees deserve empathy, honour, and respect — this is not a favour but a moral and constitutional duty.”

He explained that his government adopted the “year of exit” method to ensure equity and eliminate bias in payment, adding that his administration releases ₦180 million monthly to offset gratuity arrears while maintaining regular pension payments.

The Governor highlighted other welfare initiatives, including “₦2.236 billion paid to 2015 retirees, a ₦30,000 monthly fuel subsidy support for pensioners, and ongoing investments in infrastructure, education, and digital metering.”

The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bunmi Alade, described the simultaneous clearance of two years’ arrears as a historic first for Ondo State.

Similarly, Nigerian Union of Pensioners Chairman, Osuyemi, praised Aiyedatiwa for restoring dignity and hope to retirees who had endured prolonged delays.

Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bunmi Alade, commended the Governor for achieving what she called “a first in Ondo State’s history”, the simultaneous clearance of two years’ gratuity arrears.

PUNCH Online reports that the governor last year also approved the payment of ₦3.2 billion in outstanding gratuity to pensioners in the state.

Aiyedatiwa stated that the ₦3.2 billion disbursement would cover the total gratuity owed to retirees from 2015 under the State Pension Scheme.

He explained that of this amount, ₦1 billion would be allocated to cover the gratuity for local government retirees from 2012 and 2013, while ₦2.2 billion would address the 2015 gratuity for state pensioners.