LA SUITE APRÈS LA PUBLICITÉ

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in a significant move to alleviate the financial hardships of senior citizens, has officially flagged off the disbursement of ₦2.4 billion to retirees of the Ondo State public service.

This latest intervention specifically targets pensioners who concluded their service in 2018 and 2019, ensuring they receive their full entitlements. Speaking at a ceremony in Akure on Monday, the Governor emphasized that this payout is not merely an administrative task but a moral obligation to honor those who dedicated their prime years to the development of the state.

The disbursement marks a continued effort by the Aiyedatiwa administration to systematically erode the mountain of inherited pension backlogs. The ₦2.4 billion release follows a previous payout of ₦2.2 billion in October 2025, which successfully settled arrears for the 2016 and 2017 retirement cohorts.

By focusing on these specific windows, the government is working toward a future where retirement is viewed as a period of “well-deserved rest and dignity” rather than a season of frustration and financial uncertainty.

A key highlight of this exercise was the shift away from partial payments. Peter Akingbade, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Pension Transitional Department, confirmed that beneficiaries are receiving their gratuities in one lump sum.

This “full payment” approach has been widely appreciated by retirees, including Mary Mabogunje, a beneficiary who described the gesture as a timely lifeline. For many, these funds represent the primary resource needed to manage healthcare costs and maintain a quality of life that had been threatened by years of payment delays.

The challenges facing Ondo’s retirees reflect a broader national struggle with pension liabilities across Nigeria. While many states continue to grapple with unpaid entitlements, the recent interventions by the National Pension Commission – PenCom—which recently disbursed ₦577.26 billion to over a million retirement savings accounts—suggest a growing momentum to resolve these long-standing issues.

The Federal Government’s approval of a ₦758 billion bond to clear arrears under the Contributory Pension Scheme further underscores a nationwide shift toward prioritizing the welfare of former civil servants.

As the Ondo State Government remains resolute in clearing all remaining arrears, the Governor reaffirmed that his administration’s commitment to the dignity of pensioners remains unwavering.

The successful mobilization of these funds, despite broader economic pressures, serves as a testament to the state’s fiscal prioritization of social welfare. For the thousands of retirees now receiving their checks, the intervention is a “remarkable milestone” that replaces years of anxiety with renewed hope and financial security.