Operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria, the retirees accused government bodies of repeatedly hindering the resolution of their complaints despite receiving several guarantees.
The protestors delivered a stern warning, announcing plans to conduct a nationwide naked demonstration the following week if the outstanding sums are not released. This nude protest had been previously scheduled but was put on hold after prominent Nigerians intervened, requesting patience and assuring the pensioners that the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) was addressing the matter.
During Monday’s action, the coalition’s National Chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote, stated that the pensioners’ patience was exhausted, insisting that the government had not demonstrated sincerity.
Ogunbote demanded the immediate release of the six-month N25,000 palliative approved in 2023 and the N32,000 pension increase announced in July 2024.
He pointed out the disparity in treatment, noting that workers and corps members received their palliatives in 2023 and the new minimum wage payments promptly in 2024, while pensioners have received nothing.
Lamenting that retirees are consistently ignored in government policies, Ogunbote appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, and the Accountant-General of the Federation for intervention. He questioned the whereabouts of the N45 billion PTAD claimed had been released, asking, “What exactly is our offence?”
Ogunbote issued an ultimatum: if payments are not completed by Friday, pensioners nationwide will proceed with a naked protest next Monday, asserting that the suffering of pensioners is a national disgrace. He also demanded that the December pension be paid on December 20, threatening a separate protest on December 28 if this request is ignored.
Gbadamosi Ganiu, Secretary of the NIPOST chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, spoke of the dire living conditions of retirees, many of whom survive on meager monthly stipends (some less than N60,000). He detailed how the elderly, even those aged 80 and 90, are left begging to survive, with many forced to borrow money simply to attend the protests. He criticized government agencies for neglecting retirees while prioritizing other groups like labour and workers who were paid swiftly after protesting.
Mrs. Adetokunbo of the Federal Civil Service Pensioners (Lagos Chapter) accused officials of intentionally withholding the funds meant for retirees, stating that some who retired as early as 2006 have yet to receive any benefits. She urged immediate government action, noting that people are dying while awaiting their payments.
The demonstrators also voiced criticism against the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), accusing it of siding with the government instead of defending the interests of its members.
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