Since 2011, Dauda Lawal, the governor of Zamfara State, has paid N9 billion in gratuities owing to Zamfara workers.

The start of the backlog of gratuity payments was authorised by the governor earlier in February.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, disclosed that the government had paid N4.9 billion to retired state employees in nine batches in a statement that was made public on Saturday in Gusau.

Idris stated that local government employees have received an additional payment of N4.5 billion.

“In his commitment to reform the Zamfara State Civil Service, Governor Lawal established a committee in February to verify and authenticate the state pensioners who had not received gratuities since 2011.” stated the statement.

Of the total sum due by previous administrations, 2,666 out of the 3,880 verified pensioners have received their full claim to gratuities, totalling N4,860,613,699.22. Recipients who retired between 2015 and 2024 have received these benefits.

Additionally, N4,497,129,582.13 has been paid in nine installments to 3,840 of the 4,804 validated retired primary school and local government teachers. Of the N5,688,230,607.20 total outstanding local government gratuity arrears, N4,497,129,582.13 have been paid thus far. The people who retired between 2011 and 2021 are the recipients of these rewards.

To sum up, the state owes a total of N13,784,179,513.80 to 6,506 verified retired beneficiaries out of 8,684 recognised retirees; thus far, it has paid a total of N9,357,743,281.35 in gratuities.

The individuals who retired between 2011 and 2024 are the recipients of these payouts.