Kwara earmarks N8.1b for pension arrears
Kwara State allocated 8.1 billion naira to settle retirement benefits for government workers. Finance Commissioner Hawa Nuhu told reporters at a ministry briefing in Ilorin that state retirees would receive 5.6 billion naira, while local government pensioners would get 2.5 billion naira. Officials said pension costs tripled after implementing the 70,000 naira minimum wage and adjusting previous 30,000 naira salaries.
The state collects 15.7 billion naira monthly in revenue and carries 57 billion naira in domestic debt. Nuhu said the government cleared all local council retirement obligations except for workers who skipped verification at the 16 councils. She denied plans for new taxes in 2026 and said authorities would consolidate existing levies starting in January.
Transportation Commissioner Lafia Sabi said the ministry distributed 1,000 life jackets from federal authorities across five riverine local governments. Officials added color codes for transport operators to improve passenger identification and security measures statewide.
