The Enugu State Government has announced the commencement of the Gratuity Verification Exercise, set to begin on Monday, February 24, 2025. This exercise is intended for retirees and the next of kin of deceased retirees who are eligible for gratuity payments and other related entitlements.
Following the successful completion of previous verification exercises for active workers and pensioners, the government expresses its appreciation to all stakeholders for their cooperation and urges them to maintain the same level of participation and compliance in this phase.
The announcement signed by Prof Chidiebere Onyia highlighted that the verification process aims to update and validate records of retirees and next of kin, ensuring that gratuity payments reach only legitimate beneficiaries. It is also designed to eliminate fraud, discrepancies, and delays while establishing a reliable and accurate database for future reference.
Participants are required to bring necessary documents, including a notice of retirement, pension form, pension authority, letter of first appointment, last promotion letter, Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), two recent passport photographs, and a payslip or bank statement covering at least five years. Next of kin of deceased retirees must provide additional documents such as a death certificate and a letter of administration or affidavit. Any other relevant documents that support the verification process should also be presented.
All participants will be notified of their specific verification dates and locations through SMS, radio announcements, and posters. The verification exercise will be conducted at designated centers across the state, with the main venue set at Enugu State College of Education, Technical, starting daily at 8:00 AM.
For retirees who are unable to attend in person due to being abroad or hospitalized, a remote verification process has been arranged. Affected individuals must provide a signed affidavit or letter of consent authorizing a representative to act on their behalf. This document should include the retiree’s full name, pension identification number, and the details of the authorized representative. The representative is required to submit all necessary documents to the verification team, while scanned copies of the documents must also be emailed to verifygratuity@gmail.com with the retiree’s full name and pension identification number in the subject line. Once the documents are reviewed and verified, the participant will receive a notification regarding their verification status.
Participants must bring both original documents and photocopies for submission. It is essential to ensure that bank account details are accurate and up to date. Arriving early at the venue and following the instructions of verification officers will help facilitate a smooth and efficient process. Strict adherence to assigned dates and venues is required to ensure an orderly exercise.
The Enugu State Government remains committed to conducting a fair, transparent, and efficient verification process to guarantee that all eligible retirees and their families receive their rightful entitlements. The government urges full cooperation from all participants to ensure the success of this initiative.