In a significant move to address longstanding welfare issues, the Katsina State Government has concluded the payment of accrued death and life benefits totalling N45.89 billion to its workforce. Governor Malam Dikko Radda announced the completion of this massive financial obligation, which has provided relief to 14,560 former state and local government employees and their families.
A Historic Disbursement to Clear Liabilities
Governor Radda made the disclosure on Thursday, 15 January 2026, during a ceremony to flag off the final tranche of payments. He revealed that the administration has now disbursed the entire backlog of liabilities that had accumulated between October 2019 and October 2025. The governor explained that workers had faced severe difficulties in accessing these critical entitlements promptly since 2019, a situation his government vowed to rectify upon taking office in May 2023.
Breakdown of Payments to State and Local Government Workers
The total sum of N45.89 billion was distributed across two main beneficiary groups. At the state level, N18.56 billion was approved and paid to 4,743 beneficiaries from the inception of the Radda administration. For workers from the local government councils and Local Education Authorities (LEAs), a larger sum of N27.34 billion was approved for 9,817 beneficiaries across the state.
This final disbursement of over N21 billion follows an earlier payment of more than N23 billion that was flagged off last year. Together, these two tranches constitute the full settlement of the N45.89 billion liability.
The Committee Behind the Achievement
Governor Radda attributed the success of this extensive exercise to the work of the State and Local Government Pension Reform Committee. This committee was specifically established to tackle the backlog. Its mandate involved a critical assessment, screening, and verification of all outstanding entitlements accrued within the six-year period from 2019 to 2025 before presenting its recommendations to the government for action.
A New Beginning for Katsina State
While addressing beneficiaries, Governor Radda stated that the completion of these payments marks a pivotal moment for the state. "We have successfully achieved our determination to ensure that no retired worker leaves the service with unfulfilled entitlements or lingering uncertainties," he declared. He emphasized the government's duty to honour the loyalty, sacrifices, and dedication of its workforce to the progress of Katsina State.
The governor also expressed hope that the beneficiaries would utilise the funds effectively for the wellbeing of their families. This comprehensive settlement is seen as a major fulfilment of the administration's promise to improve the welfare of public servants and restore confidence in the state's pension and benefit system.
