The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Lagos State has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging the state government to address several pressing concerns affecting retired workers under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).
During a press conference held in Lagos on Wednesday, the union expressed deep frustration over the government’s failure to fulfill its commitments to pensioners. Among their primary grievances is the non-implementation of the N32,000 pension increase, which was supposed to take effect in July 2024 in line with the National Minimum Wage Act.
Additionally, the pensioners lamented the non-payment of 57 months’ accrued pension arrears resulting from the 2019 Consequential Adjustment. Despite repeated attempts to engage with government officials, including the Head of Service and the Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), their efforts have been ignored.
Rev. Oluremi Johnson, Chairman of the NUP Lagos chapter, voiced the union’s frustrations, stating:
“We have made relentless efforts to secure meetings with the authorities, but they continue to evade us. We have written letters, made calls, but there has been no response.”
The union is also demanding the settlement of arrears related to the 20% five-yearly pension increment, which should have been implemented from January 2024. Additionally, they are calling for the inclusion of all pensioners from state parastatals onto the ORACLE payroll system to ensure timely and efficient disbursement of benefits.
Vice Chairman of the NUP, Rev. Dr. Titus Gregory Aderemi, expressed grave concern over the deteriorating welfare of elderly pensioners, emphasizing that many are struggling to survive on meager monthly pensions as low as N5,000. He questioned the government’s neglect of senior citizens, stating:
“They have abandoned the elderly. We have suffered immensely. How can a government neglect those who dedicated their lives to public service?”
Reflecting on his own situation, Aderemi, who will turn 83 in November, recalled his contributions as a teacher who helped shape the careers of many leaders. He expressed disappointment over the government’s apparent disregard for pensioners, especially in light of the economic hardship caused by rising inflation and the removal of fuel subsidies.
The pensioners have made it clear that if their demands are not met within 14 days, they are prepared to escalate their actions.
Rev. Johnson concluded by stressing the need for the government to respect its senior citizens, saying:
“We are senior citizens, not senior miscreants. We appeal to the governor to approve all our entitlements and uphold the integrity of Lagos as the Centre of Excellence.”
