Abia Begins N61.8bn Gratuity Payment, Resolves ASUU-ABSU Dispute

The Abia State Government has commenced the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to retired state and local government workers, while also resolving the issues that recently triggered industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU) chapter.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this in a statement, said the twin developments reflected Governor Alex Otti’s administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, responsible governance and the resolution of long-standing challenges.

Kanu said the gratuity payment programme followed a comprehensive review and validation of the state’s outstanding liabilities by a Gratuity Committee constituted by the administration.

According to him, the exercise established that Abia inherited a total gratuity liability of N61.8 billion, accumulated between 2001 and 2025.

He explained that N7.2 billion accrued between 2001 and 2010, N43.6 billion accumulated between 2011 and May 29, 2023, while a further N10.9 billion accrued between May 30, 2023, and the present.

The commissioner said the administration was determined to confront the inherited liability rather than continue to defer it, noting that the government recognised that a 24-year backlog could not realistically be eliminated within the first three years of a single administration.

To ensure a sustainable settlement, he said gratuity payments from 2026 to 2031 would be incorporated into the state’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and annual budgets.

Kanu added that the payment process would be technology-driven and transparent, with verified beneficiaries receiving their payments directly through a dedicated gratuity payment platform linked to the state’s Treasury Single Account.

He said biometric validation would also be deployed to eliminate duplication and fraudulent claims and ensure that payments reached genuine beneficiaries.

According to him, the oldest outstanding obligations will receive priority, while the payment schedule will take into consideration the financial capacity of the state and other developmental responsibilities.

The commissioner disclosed that the process had moved beyond planning, as some verified beneficiaries had already received their final gratuity payments.

He further announced that the government had established a dedicated support channel through the Abia State Citizens Contact Centre for retirees and beneficiaries seeking clarification or wishing to lodge complaints about the payment process.

The contact centre can be reached on 0800-000-0232 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on working days, while enquiries may also be sent to contactcenter@abiastate.gov.ng.

ASUU-ABSU Dispute Resolved

On the industrial action by ASUU-ABSU, Kanu said all major issues that prompted the strike had been resolved following the intervention of Governor Otti.

He explained that the grievances centred largely on staff welfare, including outstanding check-off dues and salary-related matters.

According to him, Governor Otti had approved the necessary welfare measures as far back as April 2026, but implementation was delayed by administrative processes.

He said the Governor subsequently directed a committee led by the Secretary to the State Government to resolve the outstanding issues within 48 hours.

Kanu said the intervention had yielded results, with the outstanding check-off dues now paid and a new salary structure incorporating relevant academic, teaching and related allowances processed for payment alongside the August 2026 salaries.

He added that the new salary structure for other categories of workers at ABSU had also been processed and would reflect in their August salaries.

With the issues resolved, the commissioner said normal academic activities were expected to resume at the university.

Kanu said the two developments underscored the philosophy of the Otti administration, which, according to him, was anchored on confronting inherited challenges, prioritising the welfare of workers and retirees, and resolving disputes through dialogue and constructive engagement.

“Our retirees deserve dignity after decades of service, and our workers deserve a government that listens and acts,” he said.

He assured Abians that despite the magnitude of challenges inherited by the administration, the government remained committed to addressing them progressively, transparently and sustainably.

He added that the welfare of the people would continue to occupy a central position in the decisions and policies of the Abia State Government.