Abia Begins Payment Of N61.8bn Gratuity Arrears, Resolves ABSU ASUU Strike

The Abia State Government has commenced the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to state and local government retirees and resolved the issues that triggered the recent strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abia State University, Uturu chapter.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the state government had commenced the settlement of gratuity arrears, with the total inherited liability put at N61.8 billion, covering outstanding payments between 2001 and 2025.

According to him, a gratuity committee constituted by the state government was mandated to verify the outstanding liabilities owed to state and local government retirees and recommend feasible modalities and timelines for settling the arrears.

The commissioner said a review of records from the State Pensions Board and Local Government Pensions Board showed that N7.2 billion accrued between 2001 and 2010, while N43.6 billion accumulated between 2011 and May 29, 2023.

He added that a further N10.9 billion accrued from May 30, 2023, bringing the total outstanding gratuity liability to N61.8 billion.

Kanu stated that the committee also established that successive administrations, particularly those of former governors Theodore Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu, had paid less than 0.01 per cent of gratuities owed to retirees who left the service between 2011 and May 2023.

“The committee determined the total outstanding gratuity liability to be N61.8 billion, covering both state and local government retirees.

“So, if you have to do a summary of the outstanding gratuities between 2001 and 2010, N7.2 billion. Between 2011 and 2023, ending May 2023, it was N43.6 billion. And May 30, 2023 to the present is N10.9 billion. That’s how the total of N61.8 billion came about,” Kanu explained.

He said the gratuity committee recommended that the annual financial implications of the payments from 2026 to 2031 be captured in the state’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and subsequent annual budgets, after considering the size of the liability, the prolonged hardship experienced by retirees and the state’s financial capacity.

Kanu said the arrangement would ensure sustained payment of the arrears while preventing the accumulation of fresh gratuity liabilities.

He added that payments would be made directly to verified beneficiaries through a dedicated gratuity payment platform linked to the state’s Treasury Single Account, with biometric validation to prevent duplication and fraudulent claims.

The commissioner explained that the government would prioritise the oldest arrears while spreading payments over subsequent years based on their impact on the state’s annual expenditure and prevailing social needs.

“It will be very difficult for this administration to clean up the whole mess of 24 years in three years.

“Twenty-four years of misrule and maladministration have brought us to this present pass,” he added.

Kanu, however, assured retirees that the Otti administration remained committed to addressing their concerns, noting that some beneficiaries had already received their final gratuity payments.

He said the government had also established a helpline through the Abia State Citizens Contact Centre to address complaints arising from the payment exercise.

He gave the helpline as 0800-000-0232, adding that it would be available from 8:00am to 4:00pm on working days.

Kanu further disclosed that complaints could be submitted through contactcenter@abiastate.gov.ng, which would operate 24 hours.

On the ASUU strike at Abia State University, Kanu said the issues that led to the industrial action had been resolved following Governor Otti’s directive that the matter be addressed within 48 hours.

He said the governor had approved the demands of the university’s academic staff as far back as April 2026, but implementation was delayed by administrative processes.

According to him, the governor last week directed the committee led by the Secretary to the State Government to resolve the outstanding issues within 48 hours.

“The Governor’s immediate directive that the matter be resolved within 48 hours, even though the necessary approvals have already been granted in April, is a clear demonstration of the Governor’s responsiveness to legitimate workers’ concerns,” Kanu said.

The commissioner disclosed that the outstanding check-off dues had been paid, while a new salary scale and related academic allowances had been processed for payment alongside the August 2026 salary.

“In particular, outstanding check-off dues have been paid, and a new salary scale, consolidating academic, student teaching, allowance and other related payments, have been addressed and will be paid with the August 2026 salary to the affected workers,” he said.

He added that the new salary scale for other categories of staff of Abia State University had also been processed and would be paid in August.

“The new salary scale for other staff at Abia State University has also been processed and will be paid this month, August,” Kanu stated.

He consequently declared that the issues responsible for the ASUU industrial action had been concluded and resolved.

“Consequently, it is safe to assume that all the issues regarding the action by ASUU have been concluded and resolved,” he said.

Kanu said the development further demonstrated the administration’s commitment to workers welfare and constructive engagement with ASUU and other organised labour unions.

“This development further demonstrates His Excellency’s regard for workers welfare.

“This administration remains committed to constructive engagement with ASUU and other organised labour unions, while ensuring that workers welfare remains a priority of the administration,” he added.