Ogun pensioners decry delay in pension adjustment implementation

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ogun State, Alhaji Waidi Oloyede, on Tuesday decried the delay in implementing pension consequential adjustments, nearly three years after the state government set up a committee to act on the 2019 directive of the Federal Government.

Oloyede noted that while mainstream civil servants have continued to enjoy salary increases and emolument reviews since 2020, pensioners have been left behind, with many still receiving meagre stipends despite current economic realities.

He said implementing the adjustment would ensure that retirees’ earnings reflect present-day living costs, lamenting that “what many pensioners receive today cannot buy them food, let alone the drugs they need to manage their health.”

The union leader made the call in Abeokuta during the 2025 Pensioners’ Day celebration, themed “Empowering Pensioners, Empowering Communities.”

The paltry pensions being paid are nothing to write home about amid the harsh economic situation,” Oloyede said. “The aged are plagued by health challenges, while the cost of food and medicine keeps soaring beyond reach, leading to avoidable deaths.”

Appealing directly to Governor Dapo Abiodun, he said: “Your Excellency, our listening, God-sent ‘Messiah’ of our time, we passionately appeal to you to graciously approve the report on the implementation of the consequential review of pensions to save lives and rekindle our hope of living in good health once again.”

Oloyede added that empowering pensioners means providing them with the support and resources needed to live fulfilling, dignified lives.

He, however, commended Governor Abiodun for approving funds to clear outstanding gratuities and for other support extended to retirees in the state.

In his remarks, the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, praised the pensioners for their service and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring their well-being in retirement.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of State Pensions, Mrs Aarinola Adetayo, Onasanya said the state ensures regular payment of monthly pensions and has cleared gratuity arrears up to retirees from 2019.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Chairmen of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akeem Lasisi; the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Hammed Ademola-Benco; and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Isa Olude.

The pension transitional arrangement Directorate,on September 30, 2025,  announced the start of implementation of the new pension increments for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, saying the adjustments will be reflected in the September 2025 payroll cycle.

In a statement signed by Management and posted on its X handle, PTAD said the increase package includes a fixed N32,000 payment alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories, which will benefit about 832,000 pensioners under its management.

Recall that PTAD in August announced President Bola Tinubu had approved a series of measures, including new welfare benefits for pensioners under DBS.