The Jigawa State Government has disbursed more than N6.2 billion in retirement and death benefits to 2,472 beneficiaries between January and October 2026, reinforcing its efforts to clear pension liabilities and improve retirees’ welfare.
Binyaminu Shittu Aminu, Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme Board, disclosed this on Monday during a briefing at the Pension House in Dutse, where payments were announced for October beneficiaries.
He said the payments covered retired civil servants from the state government, local government councils and Local Education Authorities (LEAs), including retirement benefits, death benefits for families of deceased civil servants and outstanding death pension balances for families of deceased pensioners.
According to him, N4.94 billion was paid to 2,002 retirees as retirement benefits, while N1.12 billion went to 370 families of deceased civil servants. Another N132.95 million was disbursed to 100 families as outstanding death pension balances.
The latest payment cycle accounts for N1.21 billion earmarked for 484 beneficiaries, comprising retirees and families entitled to death-related benefits.
Aminu said the beneficiaries included personnel from the state civil service, local government councils and Local Education Authorities, adding that the board remained committed to ensuring that workers received their entitlements promptly after leaving service.
He reaffirmed the board’s commitment to paying monthly pensions on the first day of every month, describing timely payment as essential to providing financial security for retired workers and their families.
The executive secretary commended Umar Namadi, Governor of Jigawa State, for supporting reforms and strengthening the contributory pension scheme since assuming office.
He also urged serving civil servants and retirees to continue supporting the government through prayers as it pursued its development objectives.
Muhammad K. Dagaceri, Jigawa State Head of Service, said the State had maintained its commitment to meeting pension obligations, including payments to families of workers who died while in active service.
Dagaceri disclosed that the Namadi administration had injected more than N15 billion into the pension scheme between May 2023 and October 2026, a move he said had helped sustain the scheme and strengthen confidence among civil servants approaching retirement.
He said the state government and the pension board would continue to prioritise workers’ welfare to improve service delivery and ensure that retirees could live with dignity after their years of public service.
The head of service expressed appreciation to the governor for the financial support and reforms aimed at strengthening the pension system.
Similarly, Sunusi Alhassan Maigatari, Chairman of the Jigawa State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), represented by his deputy, Hazakilu Kore, described the state’s pension arrangement as one of the notable models in the country.
He said more than 20 states had visited Jigawa to study its pension administration, expressing appreciation to the state government for paying retirees’ entitlements.
Maigatari also commended the pension board for its efforts to ensure timely disbursement and called for sustained government support to protect the welfare of retired workers and their families.
The latest disbursement comes amid continuing concerns across Nigeria over pension arrears and the financial difficulties faced by many retired public servants who depend on their entitlements for post-service survival.
Jigawa’s reported funding of the contributory pension scheme and its commitment to regular monthly payments are expected to remain important measures of the state’s ability to sustain retirees’ welfare as more civil servants leave active service.
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