Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has disclosed that his administration has paid a total of N45.89 billion in accrued life and death benefits to 14,560 workers of the state and local governments between May 2023 and January 2025.
The governor made this known on Thursday during the final batch of disbursement of N21 billion to beneficiaries in Katsina. The exercise marked the conclusion of a comprehensive payment programme aimed at clearing long-standing pension-related liabilities owed to workers and their families.
Radda explained that the latest disbursement followed an earlier release of over N23 billion, which was flagged off in 2025 as the first batch of payments. According to him, the initiative was part of his administration’s resolve to address years of unpaid benefits that had caused hardship for retirees and the families of deceased workers.
The governor noted that since 2019, many state and local government workers had faced serious challenges in accessing their entitlements promptly, leading to financial strain and uncertainty. He said his administration deliberately took steps to clear the backlog of liabilities accumulated between October 2019 and October 2025.
Providing a breakdown of the payments, Radda said that N18.56 billion had been approved and disbursed to 4,743 beneficiaries at the state government level. In addition, N27.34 billion was paid to 9,817 beneficiaries from local governments and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) across the state.
He attributed the success of the exercise to the establishment of a State and Local Government Pension Reform Committee. The committee, he said, was tasked with critically assessing, screening and verifying all outstanding life and death benefit claims accrued within the period under review before submitting its recommendations to the government.
According to the governor, the thorough verification process ensured transparency, accountability and fairness in the disbursement of funds, while also preventing errors and fraudulent claims.
Radda described the completion of the payments as a turning point for Katsina State, assuring beneficiaries that the era of uncertainty surrounding workers’ entitlements was over.
“We have successfully achieved our determination to ensure that no retired worker leaves the service with unfulfilled entitlements or lingering uncertainties,” the governor said.
He stressed that the payment of the benefits was a moral obligation, noting that workers deserved to be honoured for their loyalty, sacrifices and dedication to the development of the state.
“We must honour your loyalty, sacrifices and dedication for the progress and development of Katsina State. I hope the amount paid to you will be effectively utilised to maintain your respective families,” Radda added.
