Retirees Get Major Boost as Fubara Sets Aside Over N107bn for Pensions, Gratuities, Death Benefits
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has signalled a major commitment to the welfare of retired civil servants in Rivers State, earmarking more than N107 billion in his proposed N1.854 trillion 2026 Budget to settle pension obligations, clear outstanding gratuities and pay death benefits.
Presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill, christened “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” before the Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday, the governor said his administration had made adequate provisions to address the long-standing plight of retirees, particularly those owed benefits accumulated over the years.
A breakdown of the budget shows that N20 billion has been allocated for gratuities, another N20 billion for legacy pension gratuities, N55.1 billion for monthly pension payments and N7 billion for death benefits.
The government also proposed N5 billion for Group Life Insurance and N4 billion for obligations under the Employee Compensation Act, bringing the total social protection package for serving and retired workers to well over N111 billion.
Fubara declared that the allocations reflect his administration’s determination to restore dignity to retired public servants by settling longstanding entitlements.
“We have also made sufficient arrangements to clear the backlog of gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants, which had accumulated under previous administrations,” the governor said.
Beyond retirees, the governor proposed N15.22 billion for the recruitment of new workers into the public service, a move expected to strengthen manpower across ministries, departments and agencies while creating employment opportunities for qualified residents.
Fubara said the people-centred budget was deliberately structured to improve the quality of life of Rivers people through sustained investment in human capital and social development.
According to him, the N1.854 trillion budget, representing a 24.49 per cent increase over the adjusted 2025 estimates, was designed through extensive public consultation and reflects the aspirations of residents for a more prosperous and resilient state.
He noted that the budget aligns with his administration’s broader vision of building “a secure, prosperous and resilient State characterised by inclusive economic growth, sustainable development and improved standards of living for all.”
The governor identified economic growth, human capital development, socio-economic infrastructure and social investment as the four major pillars of the 2026 fiscal plan, stressing that every allocation was aimed at improving service delivery and expanding opportunities for citizens.
Describing the appropriation proposal as a budget that would touch every part of the state, Fubara told lawmakers that it was crafted to respond to the needs of Rivers people.
“We present to this Honourable House a budget that reflects the needs and aspirations of our people—a budget that will deliver for all residents of Rivers State,” he said.
The governor urged the House of Assembly to give the budget speedy consideration and approval to enable the government commence implementation of programmes aimed at accelerating development while improving the welfare of workers, retirees and other residents of the state.
