The Yobe State Government has announced that it has fully paid outstanding gratuities owed to retirees of the state and local governments, expending over ₦15.4 billion to clear long-standing liabilities.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Baba Wali, disclosed this on Wednesday in Damaturu during a press briefing marking six years of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration. He said the payments have completely wiped out gratuity backlogs, providing relief to retired public servants across the state.
According to Wali, the settlement underscores the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and prudent financial management, despite prevailing economic challenges facing states.
Highlighting other achievements, the SSG said the government has made significant progress in security, employment, infrastructure, education, healthcare, transportation, and power supply.
On security, he revealed that between 2019 and 2025, the state procured 250 operational vehicles and 500 motorcycles for security agencies, rehabilitated more than 300 patrol and specialised vehicles, and engaged over 2,000 vigilantes, hunters, and hybrid force operatives to support security operations.
In the area of employment and capacity building, Wali said 6,449 workers were recruited into the state civil service, while about 35 training programmes were organised for over 6,395 civil servants. He added that more than 26,000 teachers were trained or retrained, and over 4,000 teaching and non-teaching staff were recruited into primary and secondary schools.
On infrastructure, the SSG disclosed that about 500 kilometres of roads have either been completed or are ongoing across the state, including the Geidam Bukarti, Damagum Gubana, Nguru Bulanguwa, and Fika Maluri roads. He also said the ₦22 billion flyover and underpass project in Damaturu, handled by Triacta Nigeria Limited, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
In education, Wali said the government constructed six model schools, seven mega schools, nine girls’ secondary schools, and eight co educational secondary schools. He added that the state continues to pay WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB registration fees for eligible students.
On power and electrification, he said 25 villages were electrified, while electricity was extended to over 200 locations. Several transmission lines were rehabilitated and strengthened, and a 24-hour power supply was ensured for all general hospitals, alongside the provision of generator sets to some government establishments.
In healthcare, Wali said Primary Healthcare Centres were constructed or rehabilitated in 140 of the state’s 178 wards, while 88 tricycle ambulances were procured to boost emergency response. He added that over 300,000 residents had enrolled in the Yobe State Health Insurance Scheme, and drugs worth ₦2.3 billion were supplied to the Yobe Drugs and Medical Consumable Management Agency.
On transportation, the SSG said the state acquired 20 buses for the Yobe Transport Corporation and sold over 100 vehicles to residents at subsidised rates.
Wali stressed that the administration remains focused on consolidating these gains and improving service delivery, noting that the achievements are aimed at enhancing the welfare and living standards of the people of Yobe State.
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