Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the release of ₦3.909 billion as 2026 leave grants for civil servants, while payments of inherited gratuity obligations have risen to ₦97.038 billion.

The latest gratuity payment represents a substantial portion of the ₦111 billion backlog inherited by the administration, according to the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, who disclosed the figures in a statement on Thursday.

Umanah said the governor had approved exactly ₦3,909,182,952.65 for the 2026 leave grants, describing the intervention as part of the administration’s continuing effort to improve workers’ welfare and conditions of service.

He said the leave grants would be disbursed in three tranches, beginning in September, with further payments scheduled for October and November.

According to the commissioner, the phased payment is intended to provide financial relief to workers while allowing government to manage the approved funds in an orderly manner.

The government has also continued its clearance of outstanding gratuities owed workers and pensioners, with total payments now standing at ₦97,037,963,737.16 out of the ₦111 billion inherited liability.

Umanah said the sustained payment of the gratuity backlog demonstrates Eno’s determination to progressively settle legitimate obligations owed by the government and improve the welfare of workers and pensioners.

He said the latest payments and approval for leave grants were consistent with the workers-focused component of the administration’s ARISE Agenda.

The commissioner further said the government would continue to implement policies aimed at improving the working environment, strengthening public institutions and enhancing the wellbeing of citizens.

He assured workers, pensioners and other residents of the state that the government would sustain its efforts to address outstanding obligations while pursuing programmes targeted at improving the welfare of the people.