Kwara govt spends over ₦30bn clearing inherited pension, gratuity debts

The Kwara State Government has disclosed that it has spent over ₦30 billion to clear inherited gratuity liabilities owed to pensioners from previous administrations.

The Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, disclosed this in Ilorin while declaring open a three-day sensitisation programme on the operation of the payroll system and strategic guide to seamless statutory compliance for labour unions and other key stakeholders.

Nuru said the expenditure was part of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration’s efforts to improve the welfare of workers and retirees across the state.

According to her, the administration had prioritised the regular payment of salaries and pensions, while also taking steps to settle outstanding salary and pension arrears inherited from previous governments.

She said, “His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration has consistently prioritised the welfare of workers and pensioners. This is reflected in the regular payment of salaries and pensions, total settlement of inherited salary and pension arrears, and sustained efforts to clear outstanding gratuity liabilities.

“Over ₦30 billion has been spent towards clearing inherited gratuity liabilities.”

The commissioner also highlighted a number of measures introduced by the government to cushion the impact of economic hardship on workers.

She said the state had implemented the ₦30,000 minimum wage and subsequently increased it to ₦70,000, alongside consequential adjustments and a 30 per cent Peculiar Allowance, which she said brought the effective minimum wage to approximately ₦91,000.

Nuru added that the government had also implemented 100 per cent CONMESS and CONHESS for eligible health-sector professionals.

“These interventions reflect a government that believes sound financial management must translate into improved welfare, dignity and opportunities for the people,” she said.

The commissioner, however, stressed the need for stronger payroll systems, accurate personnel records, transparent processes and proper verification to ensure sustainable workers’ welfare.

She said the three-day programme was designed to give labour leaders and other stakeholders a clearer understanding of how salaries are prepared, the institutions and officers involved, required inputs, statutory deductions and the procedures that must be completed before salaries are approved for payment.

“Greater understanding will strengthen communication, promote cooperation and further deepen trust,” she said.

Nuru also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to constructive engagement with organised labour, saying sustained dialogue and mutual understanding remained essential to resolving concerns and maintaining industrial harmony.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mallam AbdulRazaq Folorunsho, expressed the readiness of the state government to engage labour unions on issues affecting workers.

The state Accountant General, Mallam Abdulganiyu Sanni, said the programme was organised to acquaint labour leaders with the processes involved in salary payments and clear misconceptions surrounding the engagement of a consultant for the payment of salaries.

Also speaking, the state Secretary of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Tunde Joseph, called on the government to introduce additional incentives for workers in the form of allowances to cushion the impact of economic hardship arising from government policies.

Joseph, however, commended the government for organising the workshop with labour leaders in attendance, saying it would help prevent conflicts between the government and organised labour and promote industrial harmony.

The workshop was organised by the Kwara State Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Office of the State Accountant General.