The Katsina State Government has released N45.89 billion to settle the backlog of gratuities and death benefits owed to workers since 2019.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda disclosed this on Friday during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held in Katsina.
The governor said the payment would address long-standing arrears affecting retirees across the state, local government, and local education authorities.
What they are saying
Radda said over 14,000 retirees across different levels of government would benefit from the payment, describing it as a major step toward addressing inherited liabilities.
He added that the move demonstrates his administration’s commitment to recognising the contributions and sacrifices of retired workers.
- “This effort reflects our unwavering commitment to those who served our state diligently,” he stated.
The governor also assured workers of consistent salary payments, noting that his administration has maintained a record of paying salaries on or before the 25th of every month.
More insights
Beyond gratuity payments, the governor highlighted several measures to improve workers’ welfare and strengthen public service delivery.
He said health workers now enjoy improved remuneration, including a revised salary structure, enhanced hazard allowances, and better entry levels for doctors. According to him, 1,900 personnel have been recruited across key health institutions to boost capacity.
Radda also disclosed that 3,814 civil servants were promoted between January and December 2025, while outstanding workers were rewarded with vehicles and cash incentives to encourage productivity.
- In addition, over 2,000 workers benefited from training programmes locally and internationally, while more than 1,100 received loans to support housing and vehicle needs.
- The administration has also invested in agriculture through the procurement of tractors, distribution of subsidised inputs, and deployment of solar-powered irrigation systems to boost food production.
- In the education sector, the government constructed model smart schools, recruited over 2,000 teachers, and rolled out empowerment programmes targeting thousands of women entrepreneurs.
On youth development, over N252 million has been disbursed to more than 1,000 young entrepreneurs under a state-backed initiative, with plans to expand the programme.
What you should know
These interventions align with the state’s broader fiscal and development strategy, which prioritises capital investment and economic expansion.
- In the 2026 Appropriation Bill valued at N897.8 billion, the Katsina State Government allocated about 81 per cent to capital expenditure and 18 per cent to recurrent spending, signalling a focus on infrastructure and long-term growth.
- Key sectors such as education and agriculture received significant allocations, with N156.3 billion earmarked for education and over N78.6 billion for agriculture and livestock development.
The government has also set an ambitious target to grow its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to N140 billion annually by 2026, as part of efforts to sustain spending and reduce reliance on federal allocations.
