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Local government

Kwara State Government Allocates N8.1 Billion for Gratuity Payments

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Kwara State Government has prioritized the payment of gratuities for retired state and local government staff, allocating N8.1 billion for this purpose. This announcement was made by Dr. Hawa Nuhu, the Commissioner for Finance, during the third quarter inter-ministerial briefing. The state government has emphasized its commitment to offsetting pensions and gratuities, with a total of N5.6 billion earmarked for state retired staff and N2.5 billion for local government retired staff.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kwara State Government has allocated N8.1 billion for the payment of gratuities, with N5.6 billion for state retired staff and N2.5 billion for local government retired staff.
  • The state government has implemented two salaries and wages, ?30,000 and ?70,000 minimum wages, resulting in a tripled pension and gratuity burden.
  • Only a few local government retirees remain unverified and are holding back their gratuity payments, prompting the Commissioner for Finance to urge them to come forward and complete the verification process.
  • The state government does not owe any local government retiree except those who refused to participate in the verification exercise.
  • The state's internally generated revenue stands at approximately N15.7 billion, and the domestic debt is N57 billion.
  • The government is streamlining existing taxes, with new levies only being introduced from January 2026, and will not impose any new levies in 2026.
  • The Ministry of Transportation has prioritized safety and security, introducing colour codes for transport operators and distributing 1,000 life jackets to riverine areas for water safety.
  • Over 200 street beggars have been repatriated from Ilorin to their respective home states.
  • The state government is combating drug abuse in collaboration with the NDPLEA and renovating the rehabilitation centre at Amayo and Elders Home.

Statistics:

  • N8.1 billion allocated for gratuity payments
  • N5.6 billion for state retired staff gratuities
  • N2.5 billion for local government retired staff gratuities
  • N57 billion domestic debt
  • N15.7 billion internally generated revenue
  • 1,000 life jackets distributed for water safety
  • 200 street beggars repatriated to their home states
  • 16 local councils in Kwara State participated in the verification exercise for pensioners

Sources:

  • Voice of Nigeria, 21 October 2025

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