Pensioners in Taraba State will begin receiving the new N30,000 minimum wage with effect from June 2025, following a directive from Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas to implement the long-awaited wage adjustment.
The confirmation was made during a congress meeting of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the Pension House in Jalingo.
Chairman of the State NUP, Comrade El-Nathan Bila, who briefly left the meeting after receiving an invitation to Government House, returned to announce that the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Jeji Williams, had personally informed him of the Governor’s firm directive.
According to Bila, the Governor has instructed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Gibon Timothy Kataps, and Head of Civil Service, Ahmed Kara, to ensure immediate implementation of the minimum wage for pensioners, stating that it must be done before they report back to him.
“We thank His Excellency, Governor Agbu Kefas, for this compassionate decision,” Bila told members. “He has demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of retirees and shown that he listens to the cries of pensioners.”
While expressing appreciation to the Governor, Bila did not hold back in criticizing the SSG, Chief Gibon Timothy Kataps, accusing him of delaying the implementation despite the Governor’s prior approval.
“The Governor has been very clear about his instructions, but the SSG has been a stumbling block to our welfare,” Bila alleged, urging Kataps to “completely hands off pensioners’ affairs in the state.”
The NUP chairman called on members to continue supporting the union’s leadership and prayed for divine guidance ahead of an upcoming meeting with the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the union in Abuja, where the lingering internal issues within the Taraba Council will be addressed.
Adding to the discussion, Alhaji Abubakar Iliyasu Jen, a senior and vocal member of the union, praised Governor Kefas for his reform-minded leadership but called for a cabinet overhaul, stating that some appointees were sabotaging the governor’s good intentions.
“Governor Kefas came into office with a vision to transform Taraba, but some of his aides are undermining him. He must act now and reshuffle his team,” Iliyasu Jen advised.
Other union members, including Abdullahi Haruna, Abubakar Mafindi, and Ayuba Dangana, also lauded the Governor’s commitment and applauded the union’s executive committee for their efforts. They pledged continued support for the union’s leadership.
The move to implement the new minimum wage for pensioners is expected to significantly ease the financial burden on retirees in Taraba State and marks a major milestone in the state government’s social welfare agenda.
