The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has given the Federal Government until 23 November to settle outstanding pension arrears and palliative allowances or face a nationwide naked protest the following day.
The coalition’s National Chairman, Mr. Mukaila Ogunbote, announced this on Tuesday during a news conference in Lagos, warning that the demonstration would go ahead on 24 November if the government failed to fulfil its promise to pay the ₦32,000 pension increment arrears and ₦25,000 palliative allowance approved in 2023.
Ogunbote, who also chairs the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NIPOST Chapter), disclosed that pensioners in the diaspora had expressed readiness to join the protest from their various locations, turning it into a global demonstration.
He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene by directing the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to release the funds, lamenting that many retirees were dying of hunger and poor health due to unpaid benefits.
“We were told that our arrears would be paid within two weeks of the approval, yet nothing has been done,” Ogunbote said.
“If by November 23 we do not receive payment, all pensioners nationwide will embark on a naked protest on November 24.”
The union leader decried the exclusion of pensioners from the ₦35,000 palliative allowance already disbursed to workers, describing it as unfair and insensitive.
“Workers received theirs within a month, but up till now, pensioners have not been paid the ₦25,000 approved for us,” he added.
Ogunbote urged the government to clear the arrears before December so retirees could prepare for Christmas, accusing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of failing to champion their cause.
He called for unity among workers and retirees, stressing that “the government prioritises payment for other purposes while neglecting those who have served the country faithfully.”
Supporting the call, Mr. Francis Oluwo, President of the Civil Service Pensioners Association, accused some government officials of failing to implement the President’s directives on pension payments.
“Many retirees are in poor health and can barely afford medication or food. This protest is necessary to pressure the government into taking action,” Oluwo said.
Also speaking, Mrs. Bridget Obieto, Assistant Secretary of the Voice of Nigeria Pensioners Association, urged the NLC to use its influence to press for payment.
“We have served this country for over 35 years. Now that we are old, the government must not abandon us,” she said, appealing to President Tinubu and Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady, to ensure payment before December so pensioners can celebrate the festive season with dignity.
Mr. Elijah Akindutire, Chairman Emeritus of the NUP NIPOST Chapter, also called for a massive turnout at the planned protest to show the government that pensioners were determined to claim what was rightfully theirs.
