By Victor Ahiuma-Young

Retirees from Yobe, Adamawa, and Borno states have expressed frustration over delays in the refund of their National Housing Fund (NHF) contributions by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

Speaking with reporters, they lamented that the delay has caused severe hardship.

Danladi Inuwa, a retired Deputy Registrar from Federal University, Gashua, said: “I retired in 2021 after completing six years at FUGA. Before that, I worked with the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) in Kaduna. When I visited the FMB office in Damaturu, I was told that my NWRI refund was ready, but computation for FUGA was still pending. I requested the NWRI portion, but they insisted that payment could only be made once — after both were ready.”

Another retiree, Mohammed Shetima, said: “I retired in 2023 as Head of Elections and Party Monitoring at INEC’s Damaturu office. Since then, I haven’t been paid. FMB officials said I’ve not been captured on their portal. Without being captured, I can’t be paid.”

In Adamawa, some retirees — who spoke anonymously — also expressed frustration.

“I submitted all documents in early April and have yet to receive payment or feedback. Some colleagues have received theirs, but I am still waiting,” said one retiree.

Efforts to get comments from FMBN officials in the three states were unsuccessful. However, it was gathered that payments are ongoing and verified applicants would be paid in batches.

The retirees urged the FMBN to expedite the process to ensure all qualified beneficiaries receive their refunds without further delay.