The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has threatened to embark on a nationwide naked protest on November 24 if the Federal Government fails to pay their outstanding pension increment arrears and palliative allowances.
The group’s National Chairman, Mr. Mukaila Ogunbote, made the announcement during a press briefing in Lagos on Monday. Ogunbote, who also serves as Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NIPOST Chapter), said the protest would go ahead if the government does not fulfill its promise to pay the N32,000 pension increment arrears and N25,000 palliative allowance approved since 2023.
According to him, pensioners living abroad have also pledged solidarity and will join the protest from their respective countries, making it a worldwide demonstration.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently direct the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to release the long-awaited funds.
“Many pensioners have died and many are dying due to hardship. They cannot feed well or get proper medical treatment,” Ogunbote lamented. “We were told our arrears would be paid within two weeks of approval, yet nothing has been done. If by November 23 we do not receive payment, all pensioners nationwide will embark on a naked protest on November 24.”
He expressed frustration that while government workers had received their allowances, pensioners were left behind. “Workers received the N35,000 palliative in a month, but up till now, pensioners have not been paid the N25,000 approved for us. We are more vulnerable than anyone else,” he said.
Ogunbote urged the government to ensure payment before December to allow retirees to prepare for the Christmas season.
He also criticised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for not providing stronger support to the pensioners, accusing the government of prioritising other expenditures while neglecting retirees.
“The Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General must release our funds urgently. Pensioners are suffering, and we cannot continue to live in such hardship,” he added.
