Kebbi State Government has approved the release of over N1.8 billion for the payment of gratuities, death benefits and other outstanding entitlements owed to retirees, contract staff and families of deceased civil servants.
The approval was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of Service, Malami Shekare, and signed by the Director of Administration, Rashidu Muhammad-Bala.
According to the statement, the funds were disbursed in two phases to cover a wide range of beneficiaries across the state.
It stated that the first phase, covering March 16 to June 15, 2025, saw N933.03 million paid to 404 beneficiaries, while the second phase, from June 16 to September 15, 2025, involved the disbursement of N932.95 million to 443 beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries include personnel from the state civil service, local government councils, local government education authorities, contract workers and dependants of deceased public servants.
The government noted that the payments were made amid growing concerns over delays in the settlement of retirement benefits, which have affected retirees in many parts of the country due to economic and fiscal constraints.
Kebbi State is also grappling with pension and gratuity liabilities accumulated over several years.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Ahmed Idris, said the approval was part of efforts to clear outstanding arrears and reduce the backlog of unpaid entitlements.
He added that the move was aimed at easing the burden on retirees and families of deceased workers in the state.