Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the longstanding pension issues affecting retirees in the state through inclusive dialogue and transparent reform.
Speaking on Tuesday at his country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, the governor welcomed the national leadership of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) and acknowledged that the pension arrears in Abia State—which predate his administration—require goodwill, cooperation, and systemic reform.
He stated that although his government inherited a backlog of pension obligations, it is prepared to confront the issue directly. Otti noted that the arrears continue to grow due to ongoing retirements and that the full extent of the debt remains unclear.
“Despite the uncertainty around the figures, we are politically and morally committed to finding a sustainable solution,” he said.
The governor recalled that one of his administration’s first actions was to engage the state chapter of the NUP in dialogue. He further disclosed that the government had secured N10 billion to offset part of the arrears, paying retirees owed N1 million or less in full, while others received partial payments.
However, Otti expressed disappointment over the state NUP’s alleged misrepresentation of facts, which he said hindered genuine reconciliation.
In response, NUP National President, Mr. Godwin Abumisi, appealed for forgiveness on behalf of the state chapter, describing a previously signed agreement on gratuity payments as “a mistake made in ignorance.”
“Your Excellency, please discard that document,” he said. “They didn’t know what they were doing. I’m here to ask you to forgive them and reopen dialogue.”
Abumisi also commended the governor’s focus on salaries, pensions, and infrastructure, calling him “a star performer.”
In a swift move, Governor Otti announced the formation of a new pension reform committee led by his Special Assistant on Labour Matters, Mr Godson Anucha. Other members include:
- Prof. Kenneth Kalu (Secretary to the State Government)
- Dr. Caleb Ajagba (Chief of Staff)
- Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma (Special Adviser on Media and Publicity)
- Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi (Special Assistant on Special Duties)
The committee is expected to engage all stakeholders and propose actionable solutions to end the pension crisis in Abia.
