Lagos Pensioners Lament Unpaid Arrears, Appeal to Sanwo-Olu
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Council, has called on the Lagos State Government to urgently settle outstanding pension arrears owed to its members, which it says have accumulated to billions of naira.
In a statement issued to commemorate this year’s May Day celebration, the union—through its Chairman, Olufemi Olarewaju, and State Secretary, Olukayode Bada—appealed to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to prioritise the welfare of pensioners by clearing the backlog of unpaid entitlements.
The union disclosed that the state government is owing pensioners 57 months of arrears stemming from the 2019 consequential adjustments. It further stated that retirees are yet to receive 12 months’ arrears related to the 20 and 28 per cent pension rate review approved in 2024.
According to the statement, pensioners are also awaiting the implementation of an additional ₦32,000 increment tied to the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The NUP painted a grim picture of the living conditions of its members, particularly those under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), describing many as impoverished and bedridden due to financial hardship. The union added that at least 20 of its members had died in the past three months, attributing the deaths to harsh economic realities.
While reiterating its appeal, the union also urged the state government to expedite the implementation of pension increases for Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) retirees, noting that their counterparts at the federal level have been enjoying similar benefits for over six months.
The union expressed hope that the state government would act swiftly to alleviate the suffering of pensioners across Lagos State.
