Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Monday flagged off the disbursement of ₦2.4 billion for the payment of gratuities to retired state workers who exited the public service in 2018 and 2019, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of pensioners.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the Cocoa Conference Centre in Akure, marked a significant step in the government’s efforts to clear outstanding pension liabilities and alleviate the hardship faced by retirees.
Govenor Aiyedatiwa described the the occasion as a demonstration of his administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare, dignity and well-being of those who served the State diligently and meritoriously during their active years in the Public Service.
“We have a duty to alleviate the plight and frustration of those who served this State in their prime but were unable to get their rightful entitlements as and when due”.
He added that his administration considers retirement not as a sunset, but a period of well-deserved rest and dignity.
“I am glad to state that as a people-focused government, we have approved the release of ₦2.4 billion to defray the arrears of gratuities owed to State retirees who exited the Ondo State Public Service in 2018 and 2019. We have taken this bold decision, in spite of competing fiscal pressures, yet firmly convinced that what is right must never be postponed.
“On assumption of office, our administration inherited a huge backlog of pension and gratuity liabilities. A backlog that carried with it stories of indefinite waiting, of pains, anguish and in some cases, of irreparable loss. Many of our compatriots, regrettably, did not live to see this day”.
Govenor Aiyedatiwa reiterated that his administration remains committed to clearing all the arrears of gratuities and pensions in the State. “We have put machinery in place to ensure that in no distant future, all the arrears are cleared”.
He recalled that in October 2025, the first phase of the intervention commenced with the disbursement of ₦2.2 billion to clear the gratuity arrears of State retirees for 2016 and 2017, stressing that these efforts are aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by the retirees, particularly in the face of current economic challenges.
“This gesture clearly demonstrates our resolve to treat the welfare of both serving and retired workers with the seriousness it deserves. As we have consistently emphasised, we will never play politics with the welfare of our people, God willing”.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the State. “We will continue to invest in critical infrastructure for the benefit of our people”.
He assured the retirees that this disbursement is part of a continuous process, adding that other retirees will be attended to as soon as possible. “We deeply value your services and sacrifices, and rest assured that your contributions would never be taken for granted”.
He encouraged the retirees to key into the Ondo State Health Insurance Scheme, which is being subsidised by the government to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, noting that it is another demonstration of his administration’s unyielding commitment to the complete well-being of our people, the comfort of the senior citizens and the progress of Ondo State.
Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Pension Transition, Dr Peter Akingbade described the payment as a significant step by Governor Aiyedatiwa toward clearing outstanding entitlements owed to pensioners.
According to him, the payment covers retirees across the mainstream civil service, secondary schools, and parastatals in the state.
He commended the Governor for his commitment to the welfare of senior citizens, with stakeholders noting that the administration’s focus on retirees’ well-being has begun to yield tangible results.
He also appreciated members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners for their cooperation, which contributed to the success of the initiative.
Akingbade noted that a total of 733 retirees are set to benefit from the exercise, including 391 from 2018 and 342 from 2019.
He stressed that beneficiaries will receive their full gratuity entitlements, marking a major milestone under the administration’s OUREASE reform agenda.
He reiterated that the process is ongoing, urging retirees yet to complete verification to come forward, while highlighting that earlier batches from 2015 to 2017 had been paid in January 2026.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Prince Adeleye Adebanjo, a 2018 retiree, thanked God for granting the state a performing governor at this time and prayed that the Lord would bless the governor with long life and good health.
In his vote of thanks, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state, Mr Johnson Osunyemi, said pensioners would be eternally grateful, describing the governor as the saviour of pensioners in Ondo.
He recalled that in January, the governor also presented the pensioners with an 18-seater bus, emphasising that the gesture was not for personal gain but for posterity, for which the state would forever remember him.
Mr Osunyemi also commended the Commissioner for Finance for her role in ensuring the prompt payment of gratuities.
In attendance were; Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Members of the State Executive Council; Permanent Secretaries, Political Appointees; Labour Leaders; among other eminent personalities.