Africa-Press – Nigeria. Federal pensioners on Monday staged a protest in Lagos to condemn the Federal Government’s failure to pay their N32,000 pension-increment arrears and the N25,000 palliative allowance approved for retirees.
The protesters warned that they would embark on a nationwide naked demonstration next week if the outstanding payments are not released.
Acting under the banner of the Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria, the retirees accused government agencies of repeatedly frustrating efforts to resolve their grievances, despite numerous assurances.
The group had initially planned a nude protest but suspended the move following appeals from eminent Nigerians, who pleaded for patience and assured them that the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, was addressing the issue.
Speaking during Monday’s protest, the coalition’s National Chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote, said pensioners were running out of patience, insisting that the government had not shown sincerity.
“We came out today for a peaceful protest. This was supposed to be a naked protest, but we suspended it because prominent Nigerians intervened. Unfortunately, since then, nothing has happened,” Ogunbote said.
He demanded immediate payment of the six-month N25,000 palliative approved for pensioners in 2023, as well as the N32,000 pension increment announced in July 2024.
“In 2023, workers received their palliatives. Pensioners were promised three months. Up till now, nothing has been paid. When the new minimum wage took effect in July 2024, workers and corps members got their payments within a month, yet pensioners received nothing,” he added.
He lamented that retirees continue to be overlooked in government policies and appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Finance Wale Edun and the Accountant-General of the Federation to intervene.
“What exactly is our offence? We served this country with our strength and youthful years. Is it a crime to grow old? PTAD said N45 billion had been released. Where is the money? Why have pensioners not been paid?” he asked.
Ogunbote issued a final ultimatum, warning that if payments are not made by Friday, pensioners across the country will stage a naked protest next Monday.
“No one will stop us. We are not chickens to be thrown scraps. Whether it is a naked protest or not, the suffering of pensioners is a disgrace to this country,” he said.
He also demanded that December pensions be paid on 20 December instead of January, threatening another protest on 28 December if the request is ignored.
The Secretary of the NIPOST chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Gbadamosi Ganiu, decried the harsh living conditions faced by retirees, saying many now survive on meagre stipends.
“Some pensioners receive less than N60,000 monthly. After transport and medication, nothing remains. People even borrow money to attend protests. At 80 and 90 years old, pensioners are still begging to survive,” he lamented.
Ganiu also criticised government agencies for prioritising other groups while retirees remain neglected.
“Labour protested and got paid. Workers were paid promptly. But pensioners have been negotiating since 2023 with no progress,” he said.
Another protester, Mrs Adetokunbo of the Federal Civil Service Pensioners, Lagos Chapter, accused officials of hoarding funds meant for retirees.
“The money is available, but they refuse to release it. Some pensioners who retired as far back as 2006 have not received a single kobo. People are dying while waiting for their benefits,” she said, urging the government to act without further delay.
The protesters also criticised the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, accusing it of aligning with the government instead of defending the interests of retirees.
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