The Kwara State Government has announced a N10,000 increase in monthly pension payments for all pensioners in the state, with effect from May 1, 2025. This decision is part of an agreement reached with the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC) at the request of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP).
The announcement was made on Sunday by the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, via a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance’s Press Secretary, Babatunde Toyin Abdulrasheed.
Dr. Nuru stated that the review is a deliberate step by the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration to improve the welfare of senior citizens who served the state diligently. She emphasized that the agreement was finalized during a meeting held on Friday, May 23.
However, the commissioner expressed concern that a majority of state pensioners have yet to register with the Kwara State Resident Registration Agency (KWSRRA), despite an extended public sensitization campaign.
“We have been on this campaign for nearly one year. Kwara State started almost a year ago. The government has given enough windows for all workers and pensioners to enroll. Now, we are left with no option than to pay only those whose details we can verify in line with our commitment to further clean the payroll and free up resources,” Dr. Nuru said.
She also revealed that the state government has uncovered a disturbing case of payroll fraud allegedly orchestrated by a cartel that has been actively working to sabotage the KWSRRA verification process.
“This cartel is deploying every trick to frustrate the KWSRRA process and the verification of authentic workers and pensioners. We are getting them,” she declared.
Dr. Nuru confirmed that the matter has been reported to law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution of those involved.
The government’s dual approach—raising pensions while intensifying payroll verification—is part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, blocking financial leakages, and ensuring that public funds reach the rightful beneficiaries.
