Lagos Pensioners Demand Payment of Unpaid Claims from Governor Sanwo-Olu Within 14 Days

The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has given Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu a 14-day ultimatum to address key issues affecting pensioners, warning of further action if their demands remain unmet.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, the union, which represents Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners, expressed frustration over the government's continued neglect of their plight.

Their primary concerns include the non-implementation of the N32,000 pension increase, which was supposed to take effect in July 2024 under the National Minimum Wage Act. Additionally, many retirees are struggling due to 57 months of unpaid arrears from the 2019 Consequential Adjustment.

Chairman of the NUP Lagos Chapter, Rev. Oluremi Johnson, criticized the lack of government response, revealing that multiple attempts to engage officials had been ignored. “We have made spirited attempts to meet with the Head of Service and the LASPEC Director-General, but all to no avail. We have called, written letters, and followed due process, yet they continue to ignore us,” he stated.

The pensioners are also demanding the inclusion of all state parastatal pensioners on the ORACLE payment platform and the immediate payment of arrears from the 20% five-yearly pension increase, which took effect in January 2024.

Rev. Dr. Titus Gregory Aderemi, the union's vice chairman, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating conditions of elderly citizens, some of whom receive as little as N5,000 per month—an amount he described as grossly inadequate given the soaring cost of living. “They have messed the old people up. We have suffered. How will a government not take care of the elderly?” he lamented.

The 83-year-old retired educator also reflected on his own contributions to society, stating, “I have spent decades shaping the lives of leaders in this country. Yet, we are left to struggle in our old age. Where is the justice?”

He further highlighted how the removal of fuel subsidies has worsened living conditions for pensioners, whose payments remain stagnant despite the country’s economic challenges.

With the 14-day ultimatum in place, the pensioners have vowed to intensify their protests if the government fails to act.

Johnson urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene swiftly, stating, “We are senior citizens, and we don’t want to become senior miscreants. We appeal to the governor to come to our aid by approving all our entitlements.”