Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has approved a 13th month pension bonus for retired public servants in the state, alongside a one-time welfare payment of 10,000 Naira to be included in their November 2026 pensions. The governor announced the measures on Friday, October 30, during an appreciation ceremony organized by the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners at Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo. The initiative is intended to recognize the contributions of retired workers, improve their financial well being and provide additional support amid rising living costs. More than 28,000 pensioners are expected to benefit from the welfare intervention, according to reports of the announcement.
Governor Eno explained that the new pension benefits formed part of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that retired public servants enjoy greater financial security after years of service to the state. He acknowledged the contributions of pensioners to the development of Akwa Ibom and said retirement should not leave former workers without adequate means of support. The governor directed that an additional 10,000 Naira be included in the November pension payment of every pensioner covered by the state scheme. He also approved the 13th-month pension bonus as a separate benefit, offering retirees an additional payment beyond their regular monthly pensions. However, the exact disbursement date for the bonus and its detailed calculation arrangements have not been publicly specified.
Governor Umo Eno says improving pensioners’ welfare remains a priority of his administration.
The announcement came during a ceremony at which the Nigeria Union of Pensioners presented the governor with a Merit Award in recognition of his administration’s interventions in retirement welfare. Eno expressed appreciation for the recognition, describing the gathering as a demonstration of the continued contribution pensioners can make to public life. He praised the union’s leadership and organisation, assuring members that the state government would continue engaging with retired workers on issues affecting their well-being. The event provided an opportunity for pensioners to discuss their concerns directly with the government, particularly regarding pension payments, outstanding gratuities, access to healthcare and the financial difficulties experienced by elderly residents.
The governor also disclosed that his administration had paid approximately 100 Billion Naira out of the 111 Billion Naira gratuity backlog inherited when he assumed office in May 2023. According to Eno, the outstanding obligations accumulated from 2012, leaving many retirees waiting for payments due after completing their years of public service. He said the state government had made substantial progress towards clearing the accumulated debt and pledged that the remaining balance would be settled before the end of his first term. Based on the figures provided, approximately 11 Billion Naira remains outstanding, although a detailed independent reconciliation of the gratuity accounts was not presented during the event.
Retired public servants in Akwa Ibom have welcomed efforts to address outstanding pension and gratuity obligations.
The payment of inherited gratuities represents an important component of the administration’s wider pension reform programme. Gratuities are retirement benefits payable to eligible public servants upon leaving government service, and delays can create financial difficulties for individuals who rely on those funds for housing, healthcare, business activities and family responsibilities. The backlog dating to 2012 had remained a recurring concern among retirees and pensioners’ organisations in Akwa Ibom. By prioritising the settlement of outstanding obligations, the government says it intends to restore confidence in the retirement benefit system and reduce the financial uncertainty faced by former public employees. The newly approved bonus and November welfare payment are additional measures rather than replacements for outstanding gratuity entitlements.
The governor further encouraged pensioners aged 65 and above to enrol in the Akwa Ibom State health insurance scheme, which he said provides free healthcare coverage for eligible elderly residents. He explained that access to medical services is particularly important during retirement, when some individuals require regular treatment and monitoring of age-related health concerns. The administration considers the insurance programme a complementary measure to financial assistance, intended to reduce the burden of healthcare expenses on older citizens. However, eligible retirees are expected to complete the relevant registration requirements before accessing the scheme’s benefits. The governor urged the pensioners’ union to support awareness and enrolment among members who have not yet registered.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Governor Eno for what he described as his administration’s commitment to the welfare of retired public servants. Abumisi praised the government’s progress in settling accumulated gratuities and introducing additional financial assistance. Similarly, the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the union, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, expressed appreciation for policies aimed at improving the living conditions of elderly citizens. Nkodo said the government’s interventions had provided relief to pensioners who had previously experienced difficulties receiving their retirement benefits. Both union leaders emphasised the importance of sustaining regular pension payments and maintaining engagement between the government and retired workers.
The latest initiative follows years of concern over pension administration and retirement benefits in Akwa Ibom State. Before the current administration, pensioners frequently raised complaints about unpaid gratuities and the financial hardship resulting from delayed retirement entitlements. Since assuming office in 2023, Governor Eno has identified the settlement of outstanding obligations as a major component of his administration’s welfare programme. The newly announced 13th-month bonus represents an additional intervention intended to support retirees beyond their regular pension payments. Its approval comes amid wider discussions across Nigeria about the need for improved social protection, particularly for older citizens affected by inflation, rising food prices and healthcare expenses.
The announcement also came during a politically significant gathering ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. At the event, the pensioners’ union adopted a resolution endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Eno for re-election. The governor acknowledged the endorsement and attributed some of the state’s improved financial capacity to increased resources available to state governments. However, the political declaration was separate from the announced pension benefits, and participation in a pension scheme does not determine an individual’s political preference. Pensioners remain entitled to make independent electoral choices, regardless of the position adopted by their union’s leadership. The broader significance of the government’s welfare commitments will depend on their consistent implementation and the extent to which eligible retirees receive the approved payments.
As of November 2, 2026, Governor Eno has approved the 13th month pension bonus and directed that an additional 10,000 Naira be paid with the November pensions of eligible retirees. His administration also reports paying approximately 100 billion Naira towards an inherited gratuity backlog of 111 billion Naira, with a commitment to settle the outstanding balance before the end of his first term. The state has not yet publicly confirmed the exact payment date for the 13th month bonus or released a comprehensive breakdown of its total cost. For pensioners across Akwa Ibom, the immediate priorities are receiving the approved benefits, accessing available healthcare support and ensuring that outstanding gratuity payments are completed. The effectiveness of the measures will ultimately depend on timely disbursements, transparent implementation and the government’s ability to sustain its commitments to retired public servants.
