The Kwara State Government has stated that pensioners will not yet receive the newly approved minimum wage of N70,000 per month due to widespread payroll fraud discovered in the state's pension payment system.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the administration explained that delays are also linked to many pensioners' failure to register with the Kwara State Residents Registration Agency (KWASRRA). Dr. Hauwa Nuru, Commissioner for Finance, had approved a N10,000 monthly pension increase, effective 1 May 2025, but implementation is on hold pending resolution of these issues.

The statement, titled "Government Uncovers, Reports Payroll Fraud to Security Agencies. Residents Demand a Cleaner Payroll for Pensioners" , was released by Babatunde Abdulrasheed, the Ministry of Finance's Press Secretary. It noted that fraudulent activities have been reported to law enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.

It disclosed that a cartel was behind the payroll manipulation, prompting the government to report the matter to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

"The government has discovered some disturbing evidence of payroll fraud perpetrated by a cartel. This has been reported to the police for further investigation and prosecution of the suspects.

"This cartel is deploying every trick to frustrate the KWSRRA process and the verification of authentic workers and pensioners. We are getting them," the statement said.

Nuru also disclosed that 73.2% of pensioners in the state have yet to register with the KWSRRA, despite the government's year-long advocacy.

"We have been on this campaign for nearly one year. Kwara State started almost a year ago. The government has given enough windows for all workers and pensioners to enrol.

"Now, we are left with no option than to pay only those whose details we can verify in line with our commitment to further clean the payroll and free up resources," the statement added.

It was recalled that several pensioners have not received their March and April 2025 stipends, further fueling concerns over the delay.

However, the government confirmed it has approved a new minimum pension structure, effective from May 2025, as part of an agreement with labour unions.

"The government, meanwhile, has approved the upward review of monthly pension by N10,000 across the board for all pensioners in the state.

"The date for the implementation of this agreement for pension review in the Kwara State Public Service shall be effective from 1st May 2025, according to an agreement that the government signed with the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council at the instance of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners on Friday, May 23rd, 2025," the statement further read.

It will be recalled that the state government had earlier approved the new minimum wage of N70,000 for all categories of workers, with implementation beginning in October 2024.