Akwa Ibom Pays Over ₦90bn in Gratuities, Approves 7,069 Workers Under Eno

The Akwa Ibom State Government says it has paid more than ₦90 billion towards inherited gratuity liabilities owed to retired public servants. The state's Head of Civil Service, Elsie Peters, also said the administration of Governor Umo Eno had recruited or approved about 7,069 personnel across different sectors.

The announcements were made in Uyo on Monday, September 14, 2026, during a media parley marking the beginning of the state's 2026 Public Service Day celebration.

According to Peters, the state inherited gratuity liabilities of more than ₦111 billion owed to retired public servants.

She said more than ₦90 billion had now been paid, leaving the government with an outstanding balance that it intends to clear progressively.

The Head of Service presented the payment as one of the administration's major interventions in public-sector welfare.

Peters also highlighted the state's implementation of an ₦80,000 minimum wage, which took effect on November 1, 2024, following a verification exercise.

Another welfare measure she identified was the continuation of the state's 13th-month salary, popularly known as "Eno-Mber." The programme was introduced in 2023 as an additional financial benefit for public servants during the festive period.

On employment, Peters said approximately 7,069 personnel had been recruited or approved across the public service.

The figure includes about 4,000 general workers recruited by May 2026, approval for another 1,000 primary school teachers and 766 personnel recruited into the health sector and other critical areas.

She said the recruitment was intended to address staffing shortages and strengthen service delivery.

The administration also reported allocating 150 completed two-bedroom expandable houses under the Grace Estate initiative to civil servants on Grade Levels 01–08 through a raffle process.

Peters further said the government had introduced a state health insurance scheme for civil servants, with the government covering premiums for junior workers.

For retired public servants, the gratuity payments are significant because gratuities represent money owed to workers after leaving government service.

The reported payment of more than ₦90 billion means a substantial portion of the liability inherited by the current administration has been addressed. However, the state still acknowledges that an outstanding balance remains.

The recruitment figures are also important because staffing levels directly affect government services such as education, healthcare and administration.

For residents, the practical question is whether the additional personnel will translate into better access to public services, particularly in schools and health facilities.

The minimum-wage increase and 13th-month payment also affect household income for public-sector workers, although their broader economic impact depends on factors such as inflation and the cost of living.

Key Questions

How much gratuity did Akwa Ibom inherit?

The state government says it inherited gratuity liabilities exceeding ₦111 billion owed to retired public servants.

How much has been paid?

More than ₦90 billion, according to the Head of Civil Service.

How many workers has the government recruited?

The government says approximately 7,069 personnel have been recruited or approved across different sectors.

When did Akwa Ibom begin paying the ₦80,000 minimum wage?

The state implemented the ₦80,000 minimum wage from November 1, 2024, following a verification exercise.

What is "Eno-Mber"?

It is the name commonly used for Akwa Ibom's 13th-month salary introduced under Governor Umo Eno in 2023.

The gratuity issue is part of the wider challenge facing state governments dealing with accumulated obligations to retired workers.

Akwa Ibom's current administration has repeatedly presented the clearance of inherited liabilities and public-sector welfare measures as priorities.

The latest announcement also comes as the state continues to expand recruitment in sectors where government staffing is particularly important, including education and healthcare.

However, the government's figures remain statements from state officials. The precise composition of the outstanding gratuity liability and the final number of personnel actually in service will depend on subsequent government records and implementation.

The state government says it will continue paying the remaining gratuity liabilities progressively.

The newly recruited and approved personnel are also expected to strengthen staffing in government institutions, particularly schools, health facilities and other critical public-service areas.

The key issue to monitor is whether the government can sustain the gratuity payments, wage commitments and expanded workforce while maintaining other public spending obligations.

Akwa Ibom says it has reduced a gratuity liability of more than ₦111 billion to a substantially smaller outstanding balance after paying over ₦90 billion to retired public servants.

At the same time, the administration says it has recruited or approved about 7,069 workers and introduced several welfare measures.

The next test will be the government's ability to complete the remaining gratuity payments and sustain the expanded public workforce and welfare commitments.