The Abia State Government has commenced the payment of gratuities to deserving beneficiaries and resolved the issues that led to the recent strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Abia State University, Uturu.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the development followed the work of a state government committee established to oversee the payment of outstanding gratuities.

According to him, a review of records from the State Pensions Board and Local Government Pensions Board put the total outstanding gratuity liability at N61.8 billion for both state and local government retirees.

He explained that N7.2 billion of the liability accumulated between 2001 and 2010, while N43.6 billion accrued between 2011 and May 29, 2023. Another N10.9 billion accumulated from May 30, 2023, to date.

Kanu said the committee, after considering the impact of prolonged delays on pensioners, the government’s obligations and its financial capacity, recommended that the total annual financial requirement from 2026 to 2031 be captured in the state’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and subsequent annual budgets.

He added that payments would be made directly to verified beneficiaries through a dedicated gratuity payment platform linked to the state’s Treasury Single Account.

On the ASUU strike at Abia State University, Kanu said the intervention of the committee led by the Secretary to the State Government had resulted in the resolution of the issues that prompted the industrial action.

He noted that Governor Otti had approved the union’s demands as far back as April 2026, stressing that the delay in implementation was due to administrative and implementation processes rather than government’s unwillingness to meet the demands.

“In particular, outstanding check-off dues have been paid. And a new salary scale, consolidated academic teaching allowance, ASCATA, and other related payments have been addressed and will be paid with the August 2026 salary of the affected workers,” Kanu said.

He added that the August salaries were expected to be paid within the week.

The commissioner further disclosed that the new salary scale for other staff of Abia State University had also been processed and would be reflected in their August salaries.

“Consequently, it is safe to assume that all the issues regarding action by ASUU have been concluded or resolved,” he stated.

Kanu said the Otti administration remained committed to constructive engagement with ASUU and other organised labour unions, adding that workers’ welfare remained a priority of the government.

He, however, clarified that the issue concerning the suspension of a lecturer at the university remained an internal matter of the institution.