Ondo State has kicked off the payment of ₦2.39 billion in gratuities to civil service retirees from 2016 and 2017, a move Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa describes as a dignified transition honoring years of service. Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the governor emphasized that retirement is a season of rest and respect, not an end.
The disbursement follows a similar one for local government retirees and forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure timely, transparent payments. The governor highlighted monthly releases of ₦180 million to clear gratuity arrears, stressing his administration’s commitment to fairness and compassion. Out of 800,000 pending licences, 400,000 printed, with 206,000 uncollected, the administration is working to clear all backlogs swiftly.
Permanent Secretary Olubunmi Alade and Nigeria Union of Pensioners chairman Johnson Osunyemi applauded the governor for prioritizing retirees’ welfare, calling this the first time two full years have been paid in one go in Ondo’s history.
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