~Says payment continues for subsequent years
~Restates commitment to fairness, transparency in pension administration
In fulfilment of his administration’s promise to clear outstanding gratuity arrears and ensure the welfare of retired workers, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the payment of ₦1.4 billion to pensioners who retired from the local government system and primary schools in 2014.
The governor made the announcement on Monday, October 13, 2025, during a flag-off ceremony held in Akure, the state capital. The payment marks another phase in the state’s structured gratuity settlement plan, following the disbursements already made to the 2011, 2012, and 2013 batches within the past year.
In a statement released by the Governor’s spokesman, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, he stressed that the initiative was part of Governor Aiyedatiwa administration’s resolve to sustain the bulk gratuity payment model he introduced while serving as Deputy Governor, with the aim of systematically clearing inherited arrears and restoring confidence among retirees.
“This exercise is a continuation of the payment initiative we started when I was Deputy Governor. Then, I presented the case for regular savings towards gratuities to the former governor, and once approved, we began to set aside funds anytime allocations were favourable,” the governor stated.
“Our structured payment process uses the year of exit from public service as the sole qualification criterion. This approach ensures fairness, transparency, and predictability. Today, we are clearing the 2014 set, and we will move to 2015 and beyond until all arrears are settled.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized that his government regards pension and gratuity obligations not as political gestures but as moral and constitutional duties owed to workers who devoted their years to public service.
“Payment of pensions is not an achievement but a responsibility,” he said. “However, when we look back at the days when pensions were paid in fractions, it is worth celebrating the progress we have made.”
The governor also recalled that under his leadership, Ondo State became one of the few states in Nigeria to grant an upward review of a ₦30,000 flat-rate pension adjustment, to cushion the economic hardship facing retirees.
While presenting cheques to beneficiaries, Aiyedatiwa announced that the next of kin of three local government staff members who died in a motor accident while on official duty in Niger State would also receive their terminal benefits.
He lauded the cooperation between the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Local Government Pension Transitional Department, noting that their partnership has been instrumental to the smooth execution of the pension reforms.
Representing the Head of Service, Dr. Adeniran Ikuomola, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, commended the governor for prioritising pensioners’ welfare despite competing developmental needs.
“Mr Governor could have deployed ₦1.4 billion to other sectors, but he chose to honour our senior citizens. This singular act has restored confidence among workers and retirees alike,” Ikuomola said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, hailed the governor for sustaining the gratuity savings culture that began under his watch as Deputy Governor, describing it as a “bold and visionary approach” to pension management.
“A week ago, when you inquired about the balance we had saved, you immediately directed us to pay the pensioners. You also ordered that every quarter, we must continue to save towards future payments,” Takuro revealed.
The State Chairman of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP), Johnson Osunyemi, who spoke on behalf of the retirees, expressed gratitude to the governor for what he described as a “restoration of dignity and hope” for pensioners in the state.
The event was attended by top government officials including Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami, Secretary to the State Government Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, Chief of Staff Prince Segun Omojuwa, Chairman of SUBEB Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, and several Permanent Secretaries.
