By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
In a move to ease the celebration of the upcoming Eid-el-Fitr, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu has authorised the early disbursement of March salaries to all civil servants and pensioners in the state.
The state government announced that the payments will commence on Friday, March 13, 2026. This directive covers employees in the State Civil Service, Local Government Councils, Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA), as well as all state pensioners.
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by Abubakar Bawa, the Director-General of Media and Publicity at Government House, Sokoto. Governor Aliyu, who is currently in the Holy Land performing the Lesser Hajj, explained that the early payment is intended to provide financial relief and support to workers and their families during the festive period.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to staff welfare, the governor used the opportunity to call for increased dedication from the state’s workforce. “We expect our civil servants to be punctual, hardworking, committed and above all sincere in the discharge of their responsibilities,” he stated.
He noted that such dedication is vital for the successful implementation of his administration’s Nine-Point Smart Innovative Agenda, which is designed to drive development and improve the well-being of Sokoto State residents.
Governor Aliyu highlighted that prioritising workers’ welfare has been a cornerstone of his tenure since assuming office. Key achievements in this area include the consistent prompt payment of salaries, the clearance of inherited backlog of gratuities, and the regular payment of pensions.
Beyond salary payments, the governor pointed to other significant reforms aimed at strengthening the civil service. These include the reintroduction of monthly imprests for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and ongoing efforts to create a more conducive working environment. He also assured workers of the government’s commitment to continuous training and retraining programmes to build a more vibrant and efficient workforce.
In a further step to enhance productivity and tackle unemployment, the governor disclosed that the state government has recently recruited 3,000 new workers who will be deployed across various MDAs. He urged experienced civil servants to mentor these new employees to ensure a seamless transfer of knowledge and strengthen the public service for the future.
Governor Aliyu concluded by calling for the continued support of all workers as his administration strives to deliver on its campaign promises. He also expressed his appreciation to the people of Sokoto State for their unwavering support, prayers, and goodwill.
