The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has urged the Federal Government to release the six-month wage award of ₦25,000 per month that is owed to pensioners nationwide.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja, Bunmi Ogunkolade, NUP’s Head of Information, expressed concern that while workers had already received their ₦35,000 monthly wage awards for six months, pensioners were yet to benefit from the ₦25,000 award announced in 2023.
Ogunkolade praised President Bola Tinubu for signing the new National Minimum Wage law but stressed that its implementation must include pensioners, who are among the hardest hit by the country’s economic challenges.
He highlighted the dire situation faced by many pensioners, who are dealing with severe health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and prostate problems, while the state governments they served show little concern for their well-being. Some state governors even question why pensioners’ children aren’t taking care of them, he added.
Ogunkolade also pointed out the distressing fact that some pensioners still receive as little as ₦2,000 per month, despite having retired 15 years ago. He called on state governors to implement the 33.4% pension increase from 2010, as well as the regular increments from 2015 and 2019.
