
By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has raised concerns over the alleged discrepancies in the payment process for the federal government’s 20 percent pension increment arrears.
This is as the NUP has commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of pensioners across the country.
In a statement issued by its National President, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, the union commended the President for implementing significant measures to alleviate the economic challenges faced by retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).
It highlighted two key administration achievements: the recent approval of a 20 percent pension increase for DBS pensioners and the introduction of a minimum pension of ₦32,000.
According to the NUP, these initiatives reflect President Tinubu’s “love and commitment to ensuring pensioners in the country are supported and their rights protected and promoted.”
Many DBS pensioners have received the 20 percent pension increase, backdated to January 2024, while the minimum pension of ₦32,000, approved in July 2024, has also reached several beneficiaries.
The NUP President said, “This is the first of its kind that pensioners will receive any form of pension increase without protests in different forms. We hail you, Mr. President.”
It also expressed gratitude to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and its new Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, for ensuring the timely disbursement of the pension increments.
The union acknowledged Odunaiya’s dedication, saying, “We appreciate her promise to ensure that the 20% pension increase is paid before the end of December 2024 and her strict implementation of President Tinubu’s policy direction on pensioners’ welfare.”
However, the union raised concerns over discrepancies in the payment process. Despite progress, not all pensioners have received their entitlements.
It said, “As of today, all DBS pensioners have not fully paid the 20 percent pension increment arrears. Furthermore, 70 percent of pensioners are yet to receive the ₦32,000 minimum pension.”
NUP called on PTAD to address the alleged discrepancies promptly, urging the agency to review its records and rectify any errors in the payment process.
The union emphasized, “We demand that PTAD pay serious attention to ensuring that no DBS pensioner is omitted or deprived of their rights due to system failure or artificial error in the payment processes. “
Despite these challenges, the union remained optimistic about the administration’s commitment to pensioners.
It reiterated its gratitude to President Tinubu, describing the reforms as a significant step forward. “We are grateful for the 20% pension increase and the N32,000 pension award today as a minimum pension,” the statement added.
If further emphasised the significance of these reforms in improving the quality of life for retirees, particularly during challenging economic times.
“The approval of these measures is a testament to the government’s understanding of the economic realities facing pensioners and its determination to provide relief,” the union noted.
As the administration continues its efforts to support pensioners, the NUP urged all stakeholders to work collaboratively to address the remaining issues. They expressed hope that ongoing reforms would ensure a brighter future for all retirees in Nigeria.
“We appreciate your love and commitment to pensioners. Your actions have given us hope, and we look forward to seeing all pensioners benefit from these life-changing reforms,” it concluded.