Enugu Govt approves N32 billion to clear gratuity arrears from 2000
The Enugu State Government has approved the payment of N32 billion in outstanding gratuity arrears owed to retired civil servants dating back to 2000, with an initial N10 billion scheduled for disbursement next week.…
Unpaid gratuities owed to retired civil servants have long been a sore point in Enugu State, with some pensioners reportedly waiting over two decades for entitlements accrued since 2000. Such backlogs are common across Nigerian states, where successive administrations often defer pension and gratuity obligations due to competing budget priorities, leaving retirees in financial hardship well into old age.
The approval of N32 billion, with an initial N10 billion tranche expected for disbursement shortly, signals an attempt by the current Enugu State administration to address liabilities inherited from previous governments. Both Nairametrics and Premium Times report the figure and the plan for phased payment, with Premium Times adding that officials have linked the clearance to the governor's commitment to settle these debts before his first tenure ends. Neither report details the payment schedule beyond the initial tranche, the exact number of affected retirees, or the funding source for the remaining balance.