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By David Abu
For many years, old age has often been a silent struggle for thousands of retired civil servants in Nigeria. After decades of service, teaching in dusty classrooms, maintaining government records, and keeping society functioning, many retirees have found themselves battling neglect, delayed payments of entitlements, and uncertainty. But in Kaduna State, a fresh wave of hope is sweeping through this long-forgotten generation, thanks to the empathy-driven governance of the State governor, Senator Uba Sani.
Earlier this week, Governor Uba Sani approved the release of N2.321 billion for the payment of pension entitlements, gratuities, and death benefits to retirees and the families of deceased civil servants. The announcement, though expressed in cold figures, represents a warm embrace to hundreds of Kaduna families, a promise kept and a sigh of relief to those who have waited patiently for years.
According to the Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, the payment covers Accrued Rights under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and Gratuity/Death Benefits under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). In total, 661 retirees and families across state and local governments are beneficiaries of this phase.
With this latest disbursement, Kaduna State has now paid N6.678 billion in 2025 alone, and an impressive N13.5 billion in total since Sani assumed office two years ago, an unprecedented track record.
Beyond the numbers lies the story of empathy, leadership, and responsibility. For Governor Uba Sani, ensuring dignity for pensioners is not just an administrative duty, it is a moral obligation.
“Every retired worker deserves to live with dignity and peace,” he once said at an engagement with pensioners. “They have sacrificed their youthful years to build the system we all enjoy today. It is only fair and just that we honour them with timely entitlements.”
Those who have interacted closely with him describe a leader whose approach to governance is grounded in empathy and fairness, a reflection of his background as a human rights activist and advocate for the less privileged. To him, social justice is not an abstract concept but a living principle that should shape every policy and decision.
This human-centered approach is evident in the government’s consistent prioritization of pension payments, even amid competing fiscal pressures. Where previous administrations struggled to balance obligations, Governor Uba Sani has steadily built a reputation for compassion in governance, ensuring that the elderly are not left behind in the state’s development journey.
For Mrs. Asabe Yakubu, a retired schoolteacher from Zaria, the announcement came like rain on parched ground. “I wept when I heard the news,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “For years, I prayed that I would receive my gratuity before I leave this world. Governor Sani has made that prayer come true.”
In another part of the state, 68-year-old Mr. Bello Adamu, whose late wife was a civil servant in the Ministry of Health, shared a similar story. “My children had almost given up. We thought nobody cared anymore. But this payment means a lot — it shows that her years of service were not in vain.”
Across Kaduna, such testimonies are now common, tales of gratitude and renewed trust in government. Pensioners who once saw bureaucracy as an enemy are beginning to see governance as a partner in their wellbeing.
According to Ibrahim Balarabe, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Pension Bureau, the N2.321 billion will be disbursed under a transparent and structured process. He explained that N1.736 billion is earmarked for Accrued Rights of 511 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme, while N585 million is for Gratuities and Death Benefits to 315 pensioners and next-of-kin under the Defined Benefit Scheme.
For retirees under the CPS, payments will be credited directly into their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) with their respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs). Meanwhile, beneficiaries under the DBS will be invited for screening and verification before final payment.
This dual-structure approach, Balarabe explained, ensures fairness, accuracy, and accountability. “We want every kobo to reach the rightful owner,” he said. “Our Governor has made it clear that this process must reflect transparency and humanity.”
Governor Sani’s focus on pensioners is not an isolated policy; it reflects a larger philosophy of inclusive governance under his administration. His economic agenda, rooted in human development, seeks to balance physical infrastructure with social welfare.
In his words, “Development is incomplete if the welfare of the people is ignored. Roads, schools, and hospitals are important, but so is the dignity of our people, especially those who have served this state selflessly.”
Under his leadership, Kaduna State has witnessed significant investments in social protection, education, health, and rural development, all designed to reduce inequality and build a more resilient society. The governor’s People-First Agenda continues to focus on the vulnerable from women and youths to retirees and families of deceased workers.
Experts believe that such empathy-driven governance has broader socio-economic benefits. Regular pension payments inject liquidity into local economies, support small businesses, and reduce dependency among the elderly. More importantly, it restores faith in the public service system.
Dr. Amina Bello, a development economist at Kaduna State University, puts it succinctly: “When retirees receive their entitlements promptly, they contribute to community stability. Families are empowered, and the cycle of poverty is broken. Governor Uba Sani’s model is a case study in how empathy can drive economic resilience.”As Kaduna pensioners and families of deceased workers celebrate this latest lifeline, Sani continues to embody what many describe as the politics of empathy, a leadership style that prioritizes people over power, compassion over convenience.
In a time when governance in Nigeria is often defined by grand infrastructure and political rhetoric, Uba Sani stands out for his quiet revolution of care, for placing humanity at the center of statecraft. As one elderly pensioner in Kafanchan put it, “He has not just paid us money; he has restored our pride.
• Abu writes from Kaduna State
