By BASSEY BENSON

Akwa Ibom Pays Over ₦100bn in Inherited Gratuities, Highlights Workers’ Welfare Reforms

THE Akwa Ibom State Government says it has paid more than ₦100 billion out of the ₦111 billion in inherited gratuity liabilities, while implementing the ₦80,000 national minimum wage and introducing additional measures to improve workers’ welfare.

Government officials disclosed the achievements during the ninth edition of the state’s ministerial briefing series on Tuesday 13 October 2026, at Akpan Isemin Hall, Government House, Uyo. The briefing reviewed the administration’s performance in manpower development, labour relations, public enlightenment and social inclusion over the past three and a half years.

Government Highlights Salary & Pension Reforms

Presenting the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning’s achievements, Commissioner Elder Ikodem Ekong said the administration had implemented the ₦80,000 minimum wage from 1st November 2024. It had also introduced the 13th-month salary, popularly known as EnoBer, settled outstanding 7.5 per cent pension contribution deductions for affected workers and introduced a health insurance scheme for public servants.

In addition, the government increased pension payments for certain categories of retirees. According to Ekong, retirees who left service between 2007 and 2011 saw their monthly pensions rise from ₦15,000 to ₦20,000. He also cited a separate increase to ₦27,000 for retirees who left service before 1st November 2024, under the categories outlined at the briefing.

Furthermore, the administration provided wardrobe allowances for teachers, supported civil servants’ training and retraining, supplied modern working tools and approved 26 lift grants for public servants. The governor also donated new sport utility vehicles to permanent secretaries, while the government began processing promotions ahead of the end of the year to avoid unnecessary delays in career progression.

The commissioner added that the state had integrated airport workers into the civil service following the creation of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. To protect their earnings, the government retained their previous salary structure.

Interventions Target Former Workers & Salary Arrears

Beyond general salary and pension reforms, the government reported interventions for workers affected by the closure or financial difficulties of certain companies.

Ekong said the ministry facilitated ₦150 million in gratuities and other entitlements for former workers of the defunct Akwa Palm Limited, which had been shut down for more than seven years.

Similarly, the government facilitated ₦180 million to cover six months of salary arrears for workers of Gabriel Coconut Company. The affected operations and workers were associated with Mkpat Enin, Ini, Oruk Anam and Eket local government areas.

According to the commissioner, Governor Umo Eno subsequently approved two additional months of salary arrears for the affected workers beyond the six months initially covered by the intervention. He described the measures as evidence of the administration’s commitment to resolving labour grievances through dialogue and constructive engagement.

Meanwhile, the ministry has continued to mediate disputes involving organised labour groups, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees, and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria. It has also engaged the Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Road Transport Workers’ Association of Nigeria on matters affecting their members and the wider labour sector.

Tertiary Institutions Receive Salary Adjustments

The briefing also highlighted salary increases for academic and non-academic staff across state-owned tertiary institutions.

Special Adviser to the Governor, Udo Kerian, said the government approved a 30 per cent salary increase for professors at Akwa Ibom State University, while other academic staff received 25 per cent and non-academic employees received 20 per cent.

At the University of Education, Afaha Nsit, formerly the College of Education, lecturers received a 25 per cent increase, while non-academic staff benefited from a 20 per cent adjustment.

Kerian further reported salary improvements at the state polytechnic, where chief lecturers received a 25 per cent increase and other categories of staff benefited from a 30 per cent adjustment. He also cited improvements at the state school of technology.

He commended the governor for prioritising education and declaring a state of emergency in the sector. According to him, sustained investment in education remains essential to the state’s development.

The administration has also reviewed remuneration within the local government service, with measures intended to address disparities among categories of workers.

Government Expands Public Enlightenment

Beyond workers’ welfare, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Social Re-orientation, Barrister Kufre Udosen, said the Bureau of Political and Social Re-orientation had intensified efforts to explain government policies and programmes to residents.

He said the bureau had engaged communities across the state’s 31 local government areas, gathering public concerns and forwarding relevant feedback to the appropriate authorities. It has also encouraged residents to visit project sites to assess government interventions firsthand.

Using the agricultural equipment leasing initiative as an example, Udosen explained that public enlightenment could help farmers access machinery at reduced costs without having to purchase expensive equipment.

Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntukude, added that his office had collaborated with the bureau to take awareness campaigns to 22 local government areas. The exercise, he said, was designed to explain government policies, clarify concerns and strengthen communication between the administration and residents.

Earlier, Commissioner for Information Dr. Aniekan Umanah said the ministerial briefing reflected the governor’s commitment to transparency, accountability and public access to information.

Sterling Global & Employment Concerns Feature at Briefing

Journalists also raised questions about Sterling Global’s operations across 17 local government areas. In response, Umanah and Kerian said the governor had constituted a joint committee of relevant stakeholders to examine issues surrounding the company’s activities. They described the committee’s meeting as productive and said the administration intended to give affected communities’ concerns appropriate attention.

Additionally, the Akwa Ibom State Council Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists called for stronger action to protect employment opportunities for indigenes, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

The NUJ chairman expressed concern over allegations that some individuals were selling job slots intended for qualified Akwa Ibom residents to non-indigenes. He urged the government to consider legislation criminalising such practices and to promote entrepreneurship and private-sector employment as alternatives to dependence on political appointments and civil service jobs.

He also called for tougher action against oil servicing companies accused of damaging property and degrading host communities. According to him, companies operating in the state should engage host communities through formal memoranda of understanding and demonstrate greater responsibility towards local people and the environment.

The briefing brought workers’ welfare, labour relations, public communication and community concerns into focus. However, the government’s reported achievements and the concerns raised by journalists also underline the importance of transparent implementation, sustained engagement and clear accountability for public policies.