by Niui Jacobs
Pensioners in Oyo State have emerged as the highest-earning retirees in Nigeria, with the state government paying over ₦1 billion monthly in gratuities, according to Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Oyelade, speaking in Ibadan, credited Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration for prioritizing the welfare of pensioners. He noted that the state has consistently cleared inherited pension liabilities and maintained timely disbursement of both gratuities and monthly pensions.
“Pensioners in Oyo State are the envy of their colleagues in other parts of the country,” he said. “We pay more than ₦1 billion monthly on gratuities alone.”
While retirees in states like Benue, Abia, and Imo continue to protest years of unpaid entitlements, Oyo’s pensioners have commended the regularity and sincerity of payments. The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has described Oyo’s approach as a model of responsible governance.
The steady payouts are not only easing the burden on elderly citizens amid rising inflation but also contributing to local economic activity. Analysts say Oyo’s pension model offers a working template for other states to emulate.
