Bauchi To Pay Monthly Stipends To Religious Leaders

Bauchi To Pay Monthly Stipends To Religious Leaders

Bauchi State has approved monthly stipends for Imams, Pastors and traditional rulers as part of fresh measures to support religious and community leaders.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the State Economic Council chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed in Bauchi.

The plan covers Imams of Juma’at mosques and clerics from different Christian groups, with payments designed to cut across faiths. Government officials say work is ongoing to fix the cost details so the policy can be sustained without strain on state finances.

The council also gave the green light for regular salary payments to newly appointed Emirs and District Heads.

Authorities confirmed that funding arrangements have already been put in place to back the move.
At the same meeting, officials disclosed that a recent payroll review uncovered over 3,000 ghost workers.

The exercise, carried out with a private advisory firm, has saved the state more than ₦4.16 billion, while salary complaints have dropped since the government took over direct payments in August 2024.