Lagos Pensioners Urge Governor Sanwo-Olu to Address Pension Plight Amidst Growing Hardships

Members of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), operating under the new Contribution Pension Scheme NUP/CPS, have submitted a heartfelt appeal to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, requesting a meeting to discuss the dire circumstances faced by pensioners in the state.

In an official petition authored by Omisande Michael and Olagbaye Johnson, who hold the positions of Chairman and General Secretary respectively, the pensioners expressed their concern over the prevailing hardships. The petition reads, “Numerous pension payments dating back to 2020 remain outstanding, compelling the Lagos State NUP/CPS Sector to draw your attention to the distressing situation endured by Contributory Pensioners. As responsible citizens and advocates for social equity, we implore your administration to promptly address these pressing concerns.”

Pensioners, who dedicated their service to Lagos State, find themselves grappling with alarming financial difficulties. The meager monthly pension disbursements have failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living, leaving many retirees struggling to meet basic needs.

“The root cause of this predicament stems from the failure to remit our accrued benefits into our Retirement Pension’s Account in 2007, an omission that has deprived our Retirement Saving Accounts (RSA) of necessary capital. Additionally, the removal of gratuity within the new Pension Scheme was driven by a government effort to curtail governance costs,” the petition continues.

Remarkably, the Contributory Pension Scheme Reform Act of 2007, enacted by the Lagos State government, has resulted in dishearteningly low pension payments. For instance, a Director on grade level 17 receives a mere N70,000 monthly pension, a Deputy Director on grade level 16 earns N52,000, and those on grade level 14 receive N42,000. Even more concerning, individuals on grade levels 07 to 09 are granted a monthly pension of N12,000, while pension payments are entirely omitted for those on grade levels 1 to 4, a situation likened to being alienated in one’s homeland.

Tragically, the pensioners highlight the stark reality of their predicament by reporting an average of ten member deaths per month. Despite sending multiple letters to the Governor’s office concerning these issues, they have yet to receive a positive response.

In light of these circumstances, the pensioners present a series of vital demands to Governor Sanwo-Olu. Their list of appeals includes the immediate settlement of outstanding member bonds from 2020 to the present, an urgent and comprehensive review of the pension payment system, and a commitment to fully implement the Pension Scheme of Service documents. The latter entails rectifying payment shortfalls that have arisen due to the non-remittance of accrued benefits into RSA accounts since 2007.

Furthermore, the pensioners emphasize the necessity of restoring gratuity for all worker categories within the CPS framework. Their poignant plea underscores the unbearable consequences of the prevailing hardships, urging Governor Sanwo-Olu to take immediate action to alleviate their suffering without further delay.

As the pensioners unite to voice their concerns and advocate for change, they implore the Governor to engage in a constructive dialogue aimed at addressing these issues head-on.