The Kwara State Government has denied claims that it owes workers salaries for May and June 2026, insisting that salaries for both months were fully processed and paid despite allegations to the contrary by organised labour.

The clarification followed a threat by the state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) to embark on industrial action over alleged outstanding salaries and statutory deductions.

Reacting in a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Office of the Accountant-General, Babatunde Abdulrasheed, the Accountant-General, Abdulganiyu Sani, described claims that workers were owed salaries for the two months as incorrect.

"I wish to state categorically that salaries for May and June 2026 were duly processed and paid. The assertion that the state failed to pay salaries for these two months is incorrect," Sani said.

He explained that where a few employees were yet to receive their salaries, such cases were isolated and largely linked to payroll validation, staff verification and compliance requirements.

According to him, the outstanding cases affecting a few workers were connected to payroll validation and the ongoing State Staff Identification Number (SSID) registration exercise, which he described as a reform aimed at strengthening payroll integrity.

"The SSID exercise is not intended to deny any genuine worker their salary. Rather, it is a necessary reform to strengthen the credibility of the state payroll, eliminate irregularities and safeguard public resources.

"We encourage all affected workers to complete the registration and other required verification processes," he said.

Sani explained that the Office of the Accountant-General remains responsible for preparing the monthly payroll, generating salary schedules and statutory deductions, verifying payroll data, securing approvals and providing funding before salaries are released.

The Accountant-General also dismissed concerns over the engagement of a payroll consultant, stating that the arrangement had existed for several years to provide technical support for electronic payroll processing.

"The consultant does not determine beneficiaries or authorise payments. It simply processes the payroll that has been prepared, verified, approved and funded by the Office of the Accountant-General," he added.

He noted that the Ministry of Finance continues to perform its statutory oversight role to ensure accountability, transparency and prudent management of public funds throughout the payroll process.

Sani appealed to workers who were yet to complete the SSID registration to do so promptly to avoid delays in salary payments, while urging organised labour to encourage its members to comply with the verification exercise.

"The welfare of workers remains a top priority of the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

"We will continue to strengthen our payroll processes, promote transparency and accountability, and ensure the timely payment of salaries and statutory deductions to all eligible public servants," he said.

He further assured workers that the Office of the Accountant-General and the Ministry of Finance would continue to engage organised labour and other stakeholders to resolve genuine payroll-related concerns and sustain a credible and efficient salary administration system.

The government's response came barely 48 hours after organised labour issued a fresh ultimatum over the alleged non-payment of May and June salaries and statutory deductions.

In a communiqué signed by the state chairmen of the NLC, TUC and JNC, the unions demanded the immediate disengagement of the payroll consultant, the restoration of salary administration to the Office of the Accountant-General and the removal of the Commissioner for Finance, warning that failure to meet the demands would trigger industrial action, including the picketing of the Ministry of Finance.

In a separate statement, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Hauwa Nuru, reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving the welfare of workers and pensioners while sustaining prudent financial management, economic growth and inclusive development across the state.

She said the administration had remained committed to restoring confidence in the state's public finances while ensuring workers received their entitlements as and when due.

According to her, salary administration follows an established process led by the Office of the Accountant-General, while the Ministry of Finance provides oversight to ensure transparency, accountability and prudent management of public funds.

"Our payroll reforms are designed to strengthen the integrity of the system, eliminate irregularities, protect public resources, and ensure that every genuine employee receives their rightful entitlement promptly.

"These reforms are in the best interest of both workers and the state," she said.

The commissioner urged civil servants who were yet to complete the SSID registration to do so promptly, noting that the exercise is intended to improve efficiency, accountability and service delivery within the public service.

She also commended civil servants across the state for their dedication and professionalism and encouraged them to continue supporting the administration's reform initiatives through commitment, productivity and adherence to established procedures.