Abia Govt Begins Payment of ₦61.8bn Gratuity Backlog, Resolves ASUU Strike

_Otti Administration Approves 6-Year Payment Plan, Recruits 4,074 Teachers_

UMUAHIA, Abia State – The Abia State Government has commenced payment of outstanding gratuities to retirees, with a total liability of N61.8 billion covering both state and local government pensioners from 2001 to 2025.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday during a post-Executive Council briefing in Umuahia.

Kanu said a committee set up by the government to review gratuity payments found that less than 0.01% of retirees who left service between 2011 and May 2023 had received their entitlements under previous administrations.

According to him, the breakdown of the liability is: 2001 – 2010: N7.2 billion, 2011 – May 29, 2023: N43.6 billion and May 30, 2023 – Present: N10.9 billion.

“Considering the magnitude of the liability, the committee recommended that the total annual financial impact from 2026 to 2031 be duly provided in the state’s medium-term expenditure framework and subsequent yearly budgets to ensure steady implementation,” Kanu said.

Other recommendations approved include: direct payment to verified beneficiaries through a dedicated gratuity payment platform linked to the TSA with biometric validation, cleaning of the pension database, and prioritizing the oldest arrears first.

Kanu noted that beneficiaries have already started receiving alerts. He cited the case of a retiree who received payment on her mother’s birthday.

A helpline, 0800 000 0232, has been opened at the Abia State Citizens Contact Center from 8am to 4pm on workdays, while complaints can also be sent to contactcenter@abia.gov.ng which runs 24/7.

“It will be very difficult for this administration to clean up the whole mess of 24 years in three years. However, as a people-focused administration, the State Government will continue to cater to the interests of our retirees,” he said.

The Commissioner also announced the resolution of the recent industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Abia State University chapter.

He said Governor Alex Otti had approved their demands since April 2026, but implementation was delayed due to administrative processes.

Following a 48-hour directive by the Governor to the SSG-led committee, the issues were resolved. Outstanding check-off dues have been paid, while a new salary scale and Consolidated Academic Teaching Allowance will be paid in August 2026. The August salary for affected workers is also expected this week.

“This further demonstrates His Excellency’s regard for workers’ welfare,” Kanu stated.

In education, the Commissioner said the recruitment of 4,074 new teachers has been concluded. Appointment letters are being issued and onboarding starts next week. He noted the process recorded a 50.5% overall pass mark and was based on merit and transparency.

On power, Kanu said the government plans to license a power generation plant to serve the Umuahia metropolis covering eight LGAs in Abia Central and Abia North. It will also deploy interconnected mini-grids in areas affected by vandalism.