Kwara State has set aside N8.1 billion for the payment of gratuities to retired state and local government workers.
The Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hawa Nuhu, made this known during the third-quarter inter-ministerial briefing held on Tuesday, the 21st of October, 2025, at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall, Ilorin.
She explained that N5.6 billion will go to retired state employees, while N2.5 billion has been reserved for local government retirees.
Dr. Nuhu assured that the government remains committed to settling pensions and gratuities without halting other ongoing development projects.
According to her, the increase in pension and gratuity payments resulted from the adoption of the N30,000 and N70,000 minimum wages, along with the consequential adjustments for retirees.
The commissioner maintained that no local government retiree is being owed, except those who failed to appear for the verification exercise conducted across all 16 local councils.
“Those complaining are few and they need to come forward and complete their verification exercise and collect their money,” she said.
She also revealed that the state’s monthly internally generated revenue stands at N15.7 billion, while its domestic debt is pegged at N57 billion.
Clarifying concerns about new taxes, Dr. Nuhu stated that “no new levies in 2026, but rather, the governments are presently streamlining the existing taxes and will become effective from January 2026.”
The Commissioner for Transportation, Lafia Aliyu Kora Sabi, disclosed that his ministry has introduced several safety measures, including color codes for transport operators, to enhance identification and commuter security.
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He further announced that 1,000 life jackets donated by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy have been distributed to the five riverine local government areas Baruten, Edu, Moro, Kaiama, and Patigi to strengthen water transport safety.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Development, Dr. Mariam Imam Nnafatima, said over 200 street beggars evacuated from Ilorin have been repatriated to their home states.
She added that rehabilitation work is ongoing at the Amayo Rehabilitation Centre and the Elders’ Home to restore full operations.
Dr. Nnafatima noted that the ministry is also partnering with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle drug abuse across the state.