Akwa Ibom Pension Payments Hit N81bn Under Eno
Akwa Ibom pays N81.06 billion in pensions and gratuities, while retirees acknowledge improved welfare despite remaining arrears.
Governor Umo Eno’s administration has paid N81.06 billion in pensions and gratuities within its first three years, according to a review of Akwa Ibom State’s audited financial statements. The Akwa Ibom pension payments exceed the amount disbursed during the final four years of former Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration.
The audited accounts show that the state paid N22.28 billion in 2023, N27.79 billion in 2024 and N30.98 billion in 2025, bringing the total to N81.06 billion. By comparison, audited records indicate that Emmanuel’s administration paid N70.07 billion between 2019 and 2022. This means the current government has paid N10.99 billion more over the respective periods.
The Akwa Ibom pension payments come after years of complaints from retirees over unpaid pensions and gratuities. The 2025 audited financial statements show that outstanding pension and gratuity obligations stood at N38.02 billion as of 31 December 2025. The liabilities include N14.35 billion in gratuities for civil servants, N3.66 billion in unpaid pensions and N20 billion in estimated future pension obligations. Governor Eno has previously said he inherited a backlog of N111 billion when he assumed office in May 2023.
The payments have also been made during a period of increased state revenue. Akwa Ibom generated N2.53 trillion within the first 32 months of the Eno administration, providing greater financial capacity to address long-standing obligations.
Retiree groups and labour leaders have acknowledged improvements in pension and gratuity payments. However, representatives of retired primary school teachers say some pension arrears dating back to 2015 remain unpaid, despite progress in clearing gratuities. Local government workers have also reported significant improvements, with gratuity payments advancing to more recent retirees.
The Akwa Ibom pension payments have brought relief to many retirees, although stakeholders continue to urge the government to clear the remaining arrears and outstanding benefits.
How important is it for state governments to prioritise pension payments alongside other development projects?
