Makinde Clears More Pension Backlog as Oyo Begins ₦3 Billion Gratuity Payment to Over 1,000 LG Retirees

The Oyo State Government has commenced the disbursement of ₦3 billion in gratuity and death benefits to more than 1,000 retired local government workers and primary school teachers, reaffirming Governor Seyi Makinde's commitment to prioritising the welfare of pensioners across the state.

At the official flag-off ceremony held at the Local Government Staff Training School, Secretariat, Ibadan, the Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, stated that the payment is another major step in clearing the backlog of retirement benefits inherited from previous administrations.

According to him, the ₦3 billion released by Governor Makinde will benefit retirees from all geopolitical zones of Oyo State, with the administration determined to ensure that no eligible retiree is left unpaid before the end of the governor's tenure.

Hon. Ige also highlighted the governor's approval of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as a landmark reform aimed at strengthening pension administration in the state. He explained that the existing Defined Benefits Scheme will operate alongside the CPS during the transition period to protect both serving workers and retirees.

The Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, Mr. Olufemi Akinwale, applauded Governor Makinde's people-centred leadership and urged beneficiaries to use their gratuities wisely while remaining alert to fraudsters.

Also speaking at the event, the Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, praised the administration's consistent investment in workers' welfare and encouraged residents to sustain their support for the government's developmental agenda.

The ceremony featured the symbolic presentation of cheques to beneficiaries, many of whom expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for fulfilling his promise to improve the lives of retirees. They described the payment as timely relief and commended the administration for restoring confidence in the state's pension system.

With this latest intervention, the Makinde administration continues to demonstrate its resolve to honour the service of retired public workers while building a more sustainable and efficient pension system for future generations.