Yobe State clears N15.4bn gratuity backlog owed to retirees

The Yobe State Government says it has fully cleared all outstanding gratuities owed to state and local government retirees, ending years of accumulated pension liabilities.

According to the government, a total of N15.4 billion was spent to settle the gratuity backlog.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Baba Wali, disclosed this on Wednesday in Damaturu during a press briefing to mark six years of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration.

Wali said the payments have completely eliminated gratuity liabilities owed by both the state and local governments, bringing long-awaited relief to retired public servants across Yobe State.

What the state government is saying

Beyond gratuity payments, the SSG highlighted key security interventions implemented by the administration.

According to him, the state has procured 250 operational vehicles and 500 motorcycles for security agencies since 2019. He added that over 300 patrol and specialised vehicles were rehabilitated, while more than 2,000 vigilantes, hunters and hybrid force operatives were engaged to support security operations across the state.

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Employment, education, and capacity building

On employment and workforce development, Wali said the government recruited 6,449 workers and organised about 35 training programmes for over 6,395 civil servants.

He added that more than 26,000 teachers were trained or retrained, while over 4,000 teaching and non-teaching staff were recruited into primary and secondary schools.

In the education sector, the SSG disclosed that the administration constructed six model schools, seven mega schools, nine girls’ secondary schools, and eight co-educational secondary schools across the state.

He added that the government continues to pay WAEC, NECO and NABTEB registration fees for all students in public schools.

Infrastructure development

On infrastructure, Wali said about 500 kilometres of roads had either been completed or were ongoing across the state.

Key road projects include the Geidam–Bukarti, Damagum–Gubana, Nguru–Bulanguwa, and Fika–Maluri roads.

He also disclosed that the N22 billion flyover and underpass project in Damaturu, being executed by Triacta Nigeria Limited, is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2026.

Healthcare, transportation, and power

In healthcare, the SSG said Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) were constructed or rehabilitated in 140 out of 178 wards, alongside the procurement of 88 tricycle ambulances.

He added that over 300,000 residents have enrolled in the state health insurance scheme, while drugs worth N2.3 billion were supplied to the Yobe Drugs and Medical Consumable Management Agency.

On transportation, Wali said the state acquired 20 buses for the Yobe Transport Corporation and sold over 100 vehicles at subsidised rates to residents.

In the power sector, he disclosed that 25 villages were electrified, electricity was extended to over 200 locations, and 24-hour power supply was provided to all general hospitals in the state.

What you should know

Yobe State’s clearance of gratuity arrears aligns with broader efforts to strengthen public services and economic resilience.

In 2024, the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a $50 million loan for the Yobe State Environmental and Climate Change Action Project (ECCAP), part of a $101.34 million initiative targeting climate resilience, food security, and livelihoods for over 3.5 million residents in northeast Nigeria.

The AfDB funding was complemented by $30 million co-financing from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

In April 2025, the federal government commissioned the first phase of a 400-kilowatt solar power plant at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu, aimed at reducing power outages, lowering operating costs, and improving healthcare delivery.