The Kano State Government has increased the minimum pension in the state from N5,000 to N20,000.

The state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Shuaib Musa-Jibrin, disclosed this on Wednesday in Kano.

Mr Musa-Jibrin said the measure significantly improved pensioners’ welfare and restored confidence among retirees in the state.

According to him, the state government has made progress in addressing challenges confronting pensioners in the state.

“The present administration inherited a backlog of retirement benefits estimated at N48.6 billion, out of which about N32 billion has been settled.

“The governor promised to settle the inherited backlog of gratuities and other retirement benefits, and we appreciate the efforts made so far,” he said.

The chairman also said that regular payment of monthly pensions was another major achievement of the present administration, adding that pensioners now receive their entitlements between the 23rd and 25th of every month.

He said that the development had ended uncertainty previously experienced by pensioners over payment of their monthly pensions.

Mr Jibrin commended the state government for stopping deductions from pensioners’ monthly entitlements, which, according to him, lasted for 31 months under the previous administration.

“The minimum pension in the state was increased from N5,000 to N20,000 following consultations between the government and pensioners’ representatives.

“When the minimum wage was increased, the government also agreed with us on a new minimum pension of N20,000.

“This is a significant improvement from the N5,000 minimum pension previously paid in the state,” he said.

The NUP state chairman said the union would continue to engage government constructively to ensure settlement of outstanding retirement benefits.

He further applauded the state government for supporting the union’s National Delegates Conference, which brought together representatives from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to Kano.

“They provided transportation, accommodation, feeding and other logistics for delegates attending the conference,” he said.

He said the gesture demonstrated the government’s commitment to the welfare of pensioners and strengthened the relationship between the union and the state government.

Mr Jibrin appealed to the state government to sustain regular payment of pensions as well as expedite action on settlement of the remaining outstanding retirement benefits.

He acknowledged the contributions of former governor Abdullahi Ganduje to the union, particularly in providing its secretariat.

He said the union would continue to recognise positive contributions by past administrations while advocating the welfare and interests of its members.

“We appreciate every government that has contributed positively to the welfare of pensioners and the development of our union,” Mr Jibrin said.

He assured pensioners that the union would continue to engage relevant authorities.

(NAN)