By Julius Peter, Abuja
The Federal Government has disbursed ₦4.25 billion in outstanding pension and severance benefits to an additional 600 beneficiaries of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited, bringing the total number of former workers and other eligible beneficiaries paid to 3,300 across 11 batches.
The latest disbursement, covering Batches 010 and 011, amounts to ₦4,251,043,000.19 in gross benefits, according to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The payment represents another step in the Federal Government’s efforts to settle longstanding financial obligations owed to former employees of the defunct national carrier, many of whom have waited for years to receive their pension and severance entitlements.
With the latest payment, the government has extended the settlement process to another 600 beneficiaries, building on the nine previous batches through which 2,700 beneficiaries had already received their entitlements.
The ministry said the cumulative number of beneficiaries paid under the exercise now stands at 3,300.
The disbursement is expected to provide financial relief to the beneficiaries and their families, while addressing outstanding obligations arising from the closure of the former national airline.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Finance has disclosed that its verification and validation exercise for the next of kin of former Nigeria Airways workers is ongoing.
The exercise is designed to establish the eligibility of claimants and confirm their claims against approved records before outstanding benefits are processed for payment.
According to the ministry, the verification process remains an important part of ensuring that payments reach the rightful beneficiaries and that claims are handled in accordance with established procedures.
The ministry assured that it would continue to process verified claims in line with applicable guidelines to facilitate the settlement of outstanding entitlements.
The ongoing exercise is particularly significant for families of former workers who may have died before receiving their benefits, as the validation process is intended to establish the eligibility of their next of kin to receive outstanding payments.
However, the ministry did not disclose a specific timeline for the completion of the verification exercise or the commencement of payments to all remaining eligible claimants.
The latest disbursement underscores the Federal Government’s continued efforts to address verified legacy liabilities inherited from the operations of the defunct national airline.
Nigeria Airways Limited, which once served as the country’s national carrier, ceased operations in the early 2000s, leaving behind unresolved obligations to former employees and other stakeholders.
The settlement of outstanding pension and severance benefits has remained an important concern for former workers and their families, particularly those who have spent years awaiting payment of their entitlements.
The payment of ₦4.25 billion to the additional 600 beneficiaries therefore represents further progress in the government’s efforts to address these longstanding claims.
The ministry maintained that the settlement process would continue, with payments made to eligible beneficiaries whose claims had been properly verified.
It also emphasised the importance of the verification process in ensuring that public funds are disbursed to the appropriate recipients in accordance with approved records and procedures.
The Federal Ministry of Finance said the payment aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which the government has identified as its framework for addressing longstanding obligations and providing relief to affected citizens.
According to the ministry, the settlement of verified claims reflects the administration’s commitment to resolving inherited liabilities and ensuring that eligible beneficiaries receive the benefits due to them.
The latest payment also highlights the government’s continuing engagement with former Nigeria Airways workers and their families as it works towards resolving outstanding pension and severance obligations.
The statement was signed by Efe Ovuakporie, Head of Media, Federal Ministry of Finance.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to processing verified claims and ensuring that eligible beneficiaries receive their entitlements in line with the applicable procedures.
