Akwa Ibom Pays Over ₦90bn of ₦111bn Inherited Gratuity Debt to Retirees

The Akwa Ibom State Government has paid more than ₦90 billion out of the ₦111 billion in inherited gratuity liabilities owed to retired public servants, the state’s Head of Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Peters, has disclosed. Peters made the disclosure on Monday in Uyo during a media briefing to mark the commencement of the 2026 Public Service Day celebration.

According to her, settling the inherited gratuity obligations remains one of the major interventions of Governor Umo Eno’s administration aimed at improving the welfare of workers and retirees in the state.

“One of the most significant interventions has been the payment of over N90 billion out of inherited gratuity liabilities of more than N111 billion, owed to retired public servants, with a firm commitment to progressively liquidate the outstanding balance,” Peters said.

With more than ₦90 billion already paid, the state has cleared over 80 per cent of the inherited liability, leaving approximately ₦21 billion to be settled. Peters said the government remains committed to progressively clearing the outstanding balance so that gratuity payments can eventually become more regular for public servants upon retirement.

The issue of unpaid gratuities has remained a major concern for retired workers across Nigeria, many of whom depend on their retirement benefits after completing years of public service.

Peters also highlighted other measures introduced by the Eno administration to improve the welfare and working conditions of public servants. These include the implementation of an ₦80,000 minimum wage from November 1, 2024, as well as the continuation of the state’s 13th-month salary, popularly known as “Eno-Mber.”

She further disclosed that the government had recruited or approved the recruitment of approximately 7,069 personnel across different sectors, including education, healthcare and other critical areas. The recruitment drive, she said, was aimed at addressing staffing gaps and strengthening service delivery across the state.

The Head of Civil Service also noted that the government had introduced other welfare initiatives, including housing support and a state health insurance scheme for civil servants.

As Akwa Ibom begins its 2026 Public Service Day activities, Peters urged civil servants to reciprocate the government’s welfare initiatives with greater professionalism, discipline, integrity and dedication. She stressed that improved working conditions should translate into better productivity and more efficient service delivery to residents.