Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved the release of more than ₦21 billion for the payment of retirement and death gratuities owed to workers of the state government, local governments, and the Local Education Authority (LEA).

The approval was announced on Thursday by the State Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Falalu Bawale, during the maiden meeting of the committee established to oversee the disbursement of the funds.

Bawale explained that the funds are intended to clear all outstanding retirement and death benefits from September 2023 to October 2025, describing the move as part of efforts to ease the financial burden faced by retirees and families of deceased workers.

According to him, ₦7.7 billion has been approved as a one-off payment to settle gratuities owed to retired state civil servants, with payment scheduled for December 2025.

He further disclosed that over ₦14 billion has been set aside for retired staff of local governments and the Local Education Authority. The amount, he said, will be released in phases over four months, from December 2025 to March 2026.

The Head of Civil Service noted that the governor’s decision aligns with ongoing efforts to clear existing backlogs and enhance the welfare of retirees across the state.

He also recalled that Governor Radda had earlier approved the release of over ₦23 billion, which was used to settle outstanding retirement and death benefits owed to workers between January 2019 and August 2023.