Retirees Protest 35 Months of Unpaid Pensions, Demand FG Intervention

Retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) on Monday staged a protest to demand the immediate payment of their outstanding entitlements. The demonstrators, comprising former workers from agencies such as NITEL, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), took to the streets to express their frustration over prolonged neglect by the government.

According to the protesters, they are owed up to 35 months in pension arrears, in addition to the N35,000 palliative promised by the Federal Government, which has not been disbursed. They lamented that despite repeated appeals and assurances, their demands have continued to be ignored, worsening their already dire financial situation.

The retirees emphasized the daily struggles they face due to the non-payment of their pensions, with many unable to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare. They described their current living conditions as unbearable and unjust, given the years they dedicated to public service.

As part of their demands, the pensioners urged the Federal Government to provide a clear and specific timeline for the payment of all outstanding entitlements. They stressed that the government must prioritize the welfare of its senior citizens, many of whom have been pushed into extreme poverty due to long-standing neglect.