The Akwa Ibom State Government says it has so far paid over ₦90 billion out of the ₦111 billion inherited gratuity and pension liabilities owed workers before the administration of Governor Umo Eno assumed office, the Head of Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Peter, has disclosed.
Peter made the disclosure on Monday at a press conference in Uyo as part of activities marking the 2026 Public Service Week, where she highlighted the administration’s interventions in workers’ welfare, recruitment and retirement benefits.
She said the payment represented one of the administration’s major efforts to address inherited obligations to workers and retirees, adding that clearing the outstanding liabilities would eventually allow gratuities to be paid routinely as workers retire.
“If this gratuity is the only package left for workers to retire, collect, and walk away with, why not? Let’s have it,” she quoted the governor as saying, describing the inherited ₦111 billion liability as “huge” and “enormous.”
According to her, the administration had also sustained regular and prompt payment of workers’ salaries, implemented the ₦80,000 minimum wage from November 1, 2024, and introduced the additional 13th-month salary, popularly known as “Enomber”, to enable workers enjoy the Christmas season.
Peter said the government was also addressing outstanding 7.5 per cent contributory pension deductions, while pension increases had been approved for different categories of retirees, including ₦15,000 for those who retired between 2007 and 2011 and ₦20,000 for those who retired before 2007.
The Head of Service further disclosed that the administration had recruited 7,069 personnel across various sectors, including education, health, the judiciary, legal services, occupational safety and social care.
She said the recruitment included 4,000 personnel approved in 2025, 1,000 primary school teachers for the State Universal Basic Education Board and another 1,000 personnel for the judiciary, alongside medical officers, nurses, pharmacists, caregivers and other workers.
Meanwhile, she announced a series of activities lined up for the 2026 Public Service Week, designed to promote reflection, professional development, wellness and social interaction among public servants.
The programme includes courtesy visits to former heads of the state civil service on Wednesday, September 16; football matches and a fitness carnival float tagged “A Walk of Gratitude” on Saturday, September 26; and an inter-denominational thanksgiving service at the International Worship Centre on Sunday, September 27.
Other activities include free medical checks for workers beginning Monday, September 28, a symposium at the State Civil Service Auditorium on Tuesday, September 29, a workers’ quiz competition and football finals at the Uyo Township Stadium.
The celebration will culminate in a Gala and Award Night on Friday, October 2, at the Tropicana Events Centre, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, where outstanding public servants will be recognised for their contributions to the development of the state.
Peter, however, urged workers to reciprocate the government’s welfare interventions with discipline, integrity, professionalism, innovation and dedication to duty.
She said improved working conditions must translate into higher productivity and more efficient service delivery, stressing that the public service must embrace technology, eliminate waste and provide services to citizens with efficiency and courtesy.
“As we commence the 2026 Public Service Week celebration, I urge every public servant to reciprocate this confidence by exhibiting excellence, integrity, professionalism, and dedication to service,” she said.
She also called for continued partnership with the media in projecting the achievements of the administration and promoting the image of Akwa Ibom State and its public service.
