Pensioners set for nationwide protest over unpaid benefits

The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria (FPN) has declared plans for a nationwide protest—one that may include marching naked—to press for the payment of long-delayed pension increment arrears and palliative allowances.

In a statement issued on Friday in Lagos, the coalition’s National Chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote, who also leads the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NIPOST Chapter), said the protest would hold on December 8 if the Federal Government fails to settle the outstanding payments before then.

The group is demanding the release of a N32,000 pension increment and a N25,000 palliative allowance approved since 2023.

Ogunbote accused the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of neglecting the issue.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance and the Accountant-General’s Office are not taking us seriously.

“All pensioners must come out en masse to fight this injustice,” he said.

The planned demonstrations are expected to take place simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos, and other states.

Protesters intend to march to the offices of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Ogunbote urged chairmen and secretaries of member organisations to mobilise their members, stressing that the demonstrations would continue until pensioners receive bank alerts confirming payment.

“We must show the wound our clothes are covering,” he said, encouraging those unable to trek long distances to “come with mats” and remain at the protest sites.

“All pensioners must come out and fight for their rights.”