Aiyedatiwa Disburses ₦2.4bn to Ondo Retirees, Fulfils Promise on Gratuity Arrears

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Monday brought relief and joy to hundreds of retired civil servants as he officially commenced the payment of ₦2.396 billion in accumulated gratuity arrears owed to verified retirees from the 2016 and 2017 batches.

The event, which took place at the Cocoa Conference Hall in Akure, symbolised another milestone in Aiyedatiwa’s pledge to clear outstanding pension and gratuity debts inherited by his administration.

Addressing the gathering, the governor said the initiative was part of a carefully planned effort to ensure equity and transparency in the welfare of retired workers. He noted that the payment followed closely on the heels of a ₦1.4 billion settlement made just a week earlier to 2014 local government and primary school retirees.

“This initiative demonstrates our administration’s sincerity, focus and commitment to honouring men and women who invested their time and energy in the growth of our state” Aiyedatiwa stated.

He explained that the “year of exit” approach had been adopted to determine eligibility, thereby creating a fair and consistent structure for payments. He added that retirement should be viewed as a noble transition that deserves respect, dignity and due compensation.

Reaffirming his dedication to pensioners’ welfare, the governor said, “We remain firmly committed to clearing all outstanding gratuities. Our retirees deserve compassion and honour. This is not an act of generosity but a moral and constitutional obligation.”

Aiyedatiwa highlighted that his government has been releasing ₦180 million monthly to reduce gratuity arrears while maintaining prompt payment of pensions at both state and local government levels.

Other initiatives, according to him, include the payment of ₦2.236 billion to 2015 retirees, a ₦30,000 monthly fuel subsidy support for pensioners, solar streetlight installations, digital infrastructure upgrades, the O’Datiwa Metering Programme which has provided over 15,000 meters within a year, and road rehabilitation projects such as the six-kilometre Scab Filling Station–Imafon road.

He urged retirees to take advantage of the state’s health insurance scheme for easier access to medical care, emphasising that “sound health is the true foundation of happiness and longevity.”

Permanent Secretary of the State Pension Transitional Department, Mrs. Bunmi Alade, praised the governor for prioritising pensioners despite competing financial commitments. She disclosed that the ₦2.396 billion payment marks the first time two consecutive years of gratuity arrears have been cleared simultaneously in the state’s history.

Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ondo State chapter, Comrade Johnson Osuyemi, expressed gratitude on behalf of retirees, describing Aiyedatiwa as “a leader blessed with uncommon wisdom.” He commended the administration’s steady efforts to restore hope and dignity to pensioners after years of delay and uncertainty.

Osuyemi appealed for the reinstatement of certain suspended payments to ease the financial challenges faced by vulnerable retirees and invited the governor to the forthcoming Pensioners’ Day celebration slated for October 30.

The flag-off ceremony was graced by top dignitaries including the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip; members of the State Executive Council; and other senior government officials.