Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Monday disbursed N2bn as gratuity to 800 retirees, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of senior citizens in the state.
Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, made the presentation in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, saying that nothing gave him greater joy as a leader than “wiping tears from the faces of hapless citizens.”
The governor disclosed that with the latest payment, his administration had so far spent N14.6bn on gratuities and N25bn on pensions in the last three years.
He said that as of September 2025, 10,106 retirees were on the state’s pension payroll, all receiving their entitlements regularly.
Part of his administration’s welfare drive, he added, included a N20m upward review of monthly pensions across all categories.
“As a son of a retired teacher, I understand the anxiety that comes with retirement,” Oyebanji said. “Many people have waited years to receive their gratuities, which can be traumatic. Through disciplined financial management and unwavering commitment, we have been able to clear much of the backlog.”
He noted that between 2022 and 2025, the government paid N25.9bn as pensions and N1.14bn as arrears, while N9.6bn had been disbursed as gratuities to state retirees, including the N2bn released on Monday. Under the Contributory Pension Scheme, N183.86m was paid to 159 retirees within the same period.
According to him, all 2013–2016 retirees have now been paid in full, while a monthly release of N100m for gratuity payments continues to provide wider coverage.
The Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, described the gesture as the fulfilment of the governor’s promise to improve the welfare of pensioners, saying it also serves as “strong motivation to serving officers that they have a secure future ahead of them.”
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