By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, has lamented that some state governors are treating retirees like subhuman relics, paying them pittances of ₦400 or ₦450 monthly as pension, while they struggle to survive.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on the deplorable conditions of some pensioners, especially at the state level, the NUP President, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, said, “I often ask myself whether governors realise that pensioners are human beings, with families to feed and basic needs to meet. How can anyone survive on ₦450 a month?”
Abumisi, whose voice was laced with raw anguish, lamented: “In many states, pensioners are still receiving as little as ₦400 or ₦450 monthly. This is deeply worrying,” urging journalists to “consistently highlight this injustice so that affected states can reconsider their actions and review pension payments upward.”
He, however, showered encomium on two states, Kano and Oyo states, saying: “As I speak to you, there is no pensioner in Kano State owed arrears of pension or gratuity. This shows that when leaders have a conscience, pensioners are treated with dignity. Oyo state governor is also doing well.”
Asked to name the offending states (paying as low as ₦350–₦450) and their numbers, he replied emotionally, “Each time this issue is raised, it brings me close to tears. We are preparing a serious engagement on this matter.
“We appeal to the conscience of Nigerians, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to appeal to those states to review pension payments and allow pensioners a livable income.
“We will furnish the media with the names of the affected states once we complete verification, to ensure accuracy.”
Abumisi showered praise on President Bola Tinubu, branding him “the most pensioner-friendly President Nigeria has had.”
He said under Tinubu, “The circular approving salary increases for workers and pensioners was issued before the circular for the new minimum wage, and it was implemented immediately, even while workers were still negotiating.”
The NUP President said the federal government has cleared ₦32,000 pension increase arrears and approved massive funds, “₦758 billion for the payment of outstanding arrears under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), ₦58 billion for the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).”
He further stated that health woes compound the crisis, with soaring drug prices crippling retirees. “Pensioners spend a significant portion of their income on drugs… Healthcare costs are extremely high.”
He pleaded that, “If assistance comes through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), pensioners will wholeheartedly welcome it.”
He said that “A committee has already been constituted at the national level to examine how pensioners can access free health insurance.”
Abumisi defended the National Delegates Conference, NDC-approved reforms against pushback from the General Secretary, who has exceeded the union’s retirement age of 65 or 40 years’ service.
“There is no country in the world where staff do not retire… He has reached the retirement threshold and should step aside peacefully,” he asserted, emphasising the NDC as the union’s supreme authority.
Abumisi recommitted to his mandate: “At the Kano National Delegates Conference, I promised that I would leave this Union better than I met it.”
