Niger State Pension Board Begins Disbursement of Gratuity Batch 5 and Death Benefits Batch 3 for LG Retirees
By Nma Makun
The Niger State Pension Board has officially commenced the disbursement of gratuity cheques to local government retirees across the state, marking a significant step toward clearing long-standing retirement benefit backlogs.
Speaking on the exercise, the Director-General of the Niger State Pension Board, Malam Nasiru Saidu Namaska, confirmed that the board has finalized the analysis and secured executive approval for the local government batch, enabling immediate disbursement to beneficiaries.
”We have completed the analysis for the local government cadre, obtained the necessary approvals, and commenced the distribution of cheques today,” Namaska stated. He added that the disbursement process remains continuous, with payments for state government retirees expected to begin next week following final approvals.
A total of ₦500 million has been allocated for this phase of the exercise, benefiting 188 retirees and next-of-kin. The distribution includes:
157 beneficiaries under the Local Government Retirees gratuity.
31 beneficiaries under the Deaths Gratuity (DG)).
To ensure public trust and transparency, the Board has published the comprehensive list of beneficiaries for open verification.
Malam Namaska highlighted that this initiative aligns with the commitment of Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago to prioritize the welfare of retired public servants through the regular release of funds for outstanding gratuities and death benefits.
Clarifying the scope of the current distribution, the Director
General explained that payments are specifically targeted at resolving outstanding claims from 2010 through 2016 to establish equity across all 25 Local Government Areas.
Responding to inquiries regarding specific LGAs including Magama, and Kontagora Namaska noted that eligible retirees from these areas within the 2010–2016 window have largely been cleared.
To address any administrative omissions, the Board has established a dedicated review registry. Retirees within the 2010–2015 bracket whose names were previously left off the rolls are encouraged to submit their details for verification and inclusion in upcoming payment phases.
Regarding accrued pension arrears, Namaska emphasized that the administration’s immediate priority is clearing core gratuity liabilities to ensure maximum coverage before shifting focus to unpaid pension arrears.
In line with administrative modernization, the Pension Board announced the imminent launch of an integrated digital portal. The platform will enable pensioners to securely track their retirement records, payment status, and verification details remotely, streamlining service delivery across the state.
