By Ayodele Quadri, Lagos Times Correspondent
OSOGBO, NIGERIA — Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has disclosed that his administration has cleared over ₦80 billion in inherited pension debt and resolved more than two-thirds of the accumulated half-salary arrears owed to public servants in the state.
Speaking during an interview published by BusinessDay on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Governor Adeleke reflected on his administrative stewardship, asserting that despite initial doubts regarding state finances, his government demonstrated the political will to resolve long-standing labor liabilities and drive comprehensive public service reforms.
Key Operational & Governance Highlights
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Inherited Debt Resolution: Governor Adeleke confirmed paying over ₦80 billion in backlogged pension liabilities accumulated under previous administrations, alongside settling two-thirds of the state’s half-salary arrears owed to civil servants.
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Worker Welfare Initiatives: The administration highlighted its focus on prompt wage disbursement, civil service structural reforms, and the enrollment of thousands of retirees into the state health insurance scheme.
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Addressing Administrative Criticisms: Responding to political opponents who question his public praise-singing and dancing, Adeleke reiterated that personal joy and religious expression do not impede executive performance or governance deliverables.
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Four-Year Performance Assessment: Reviewing his governance tenure, Adeleke pointed to major strides across primary healthcare upgrades, ward-level water projects, public infrastructure, and agricultural mechanization initiatives.
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│ OSUN STATE PENSION & WELFARE DEBT CLEARANCE │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Key Figure : Senator Ademola Adeleke (Governor, Osun State) │
│ • Forum : BusinessDay Public Stewardship Interview │
│ │
│ • Pension Debt Paid : Over ₦80 Billion in inherited liabilities │
│ • Salary Arrears Paid : Over two-thirds of accumulated half-salary debt│
│ │
│ • Sectoral Focus : Public service reform, healthcare enrollment, │
│ and infrastructure delivery │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘“If There Is Political Will, Difficult Issues Can Be Resolved”
“In the 2022 governorship debate, there were arguments over the inherited half-salary and pension debts… My predecessor said it was not possible to pay the accumulated half-salary and pension debts. But I have shown the world that if there is political will, difficult issues can be resolved. Our government has paid over two-thirds of the half-salary debt. We have paid over N80 billion of inherited pension debt.” — Ademola Adeleke, Governor of Osun State
“Does it affect my job as a governor? No. There are times to work and times to play. In the almost four years of my governorship, I have delivered beyond expectations. I am a very serious, focused leader of this great state. This has been demonstrated by how I have touched every corner of the state.” — Ademola Adeleke
