Nigeria’s pensioners have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s efforts to improve retirees’ welfare but are urging the Federal Government to raise the National Minimum Pension to ₦60,000, citing the soaring cost of living that has rendered current stipends inadequate.
Speaking at the 2025 Pensioners’ Day Celebration in Abuja, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Comrade Godwin Abumisi, hailed the President’s “unprecedented political will” in addressing pension arrears and implementing long-delayed reforms.
Abumisi listed several milestones under Tinubu’s leadership, including the payment of 20% and 28% pension arrears, implementation of the ₦32,000 consequential adjustment following the approval of the ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage, and the release of ₦20.18 billion for the latest pension increase under the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).
He also praised the ₦758 billion bond approved for the payment of arrears owed under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and the introduction of free health insurance for pensioners, describing them as “bold and humane steps that reflect a responsive government.”
However, Abumisi appealed for more relief for the nation’s elderly citizens.
“We passionately appeal to President Tinubu to approve a new ₦60,000 National Minimum Pension,” he said. “Hyperinflation has eroded the purchasing power of our current pensions, leaving many retirees struggling to afford basic needs and medical care.”
The NUP President also called for the release of the remaining ₦37 billion from the ₦58 billion earlier approved for arrears payments and urged the inclusion of pensioners from seven defunct parastatals — PHCN, NITEL/MTEL, People’s Bank, Assurance Bank, Petroleum Institutes, NICON Insurance, and Nigeria Insurance — who were excluded from the recent pension adjustment.
He further reminded the government of outstanding ₦36 billion in entitlements owed to defunct Nigeria Airways pensioners and demanded the release of the ₦25,000 three-month palliative approved to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
Turning to state governments, Abumisi lamented that only 13 of Nigeria’s 36 states consistently pay pensions and gratuities, even as he commended governors who have shown commitment to retirees’ welfare.
He singled out Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, who cleared ₦27 billion of inherited arrears, alongside Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Umar Bago (Niger), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Alex Otti (Abia), Hope Uzodimma (Imo) and Charles Soludo (Anambra) for prompt pension payments.
“To these pensioner-friendly governors, I say bravo,” Abumisi declared, urging others “with humongous arrears hanging on their necks” to emulate them and end the suffering of retirees who “gave their best years to public service.”
He also reminded state and local governments of their constitutional duty to implement all pension reviews approved by the Federal Government, including the 6.5%, 15%, 33%, 20/28%, ₦30,000 consequential adjustment, and ₦32,000 pension increase, in line with Section 173 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates pension reviews every five years.
Marking its third consecutive edition since 2021, this year’s Pensioners’ Day was described as both “a celebration and a reflection.” Abumisi said it symbolises hope for retirees nationwide and expressed optimism that by the 2026 celebration, all states would fully observe the annual event.
Concluding, the NUP leader — recently re-elected for a second term — pledged renewed dedication to improving retirees’ welfare.
“We will serve pensioners better than ever,” he vowed. “May the goodness and mercy of God follow us as we look forward to celebrating many more Pensioners’ Days in good health.”
