Ondo begins ₦3.82bn gratuity payment to 985 retirees
September 2, 2026 6:32 pm
File: Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has flagged off the payment of ₦3.82 billion in gratuities to 985 retirees across the state.
The beneficiaries comprise 509 retirees from the 2020 batch and 476 retirees from the 2015–2019 batches, drawn from the mainstream civil service, secondary schools and state parastatals.
In a post on its X handle on Wednesday, speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Aiyedatiwa described the payment as a “debt of honour”, saying his administration was committed to clearing the gratuity arrears inherited from previous administrations.
Aiyedatiwa said the state inherited billions of naira in outstanding gratuity obligations but had adopted a systematic approach to settling the debts.
“This is a debt of honour,” the governor said, stressing that government had a responsibility to fulfil its obligations to workers who had served the state.
He pledged to clear all inherited gratuity arrears before the end of his tenure, noting that governance was not only about initiating new projects but also about addressing outstanding obligations.
According to him, his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of retirees and ensure that those who served the state were not abandoned after leaving active service.
The Pension Transition Office confirmed that the beneficiaries would receive their full gratuity entitlements rather than partial payments.
The office also urged retirees who were yet to complete the required verification process to do so to enable them to benefit from subsequent payments.
Representatives of the retirees and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners commended the governor for the payment, describing it as a significant development in the state’s efforts to address pension-related obligations.
The retirees expressed appreciation to the state government, saying the payment would provide relief to beneficiaries who had waited for years to receive their entitlements.
The latest payment brings the state closer to its stated objective of clearing inherited gratuity arrears and improving the welfare of retired public servants.
Aiyedatiwa reiterated his commitment to settling outstanding obligations to retirees while pursuing other development programmes across the state.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]