Federal pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have threatened to protest over the delay in implementing the previously announced N32,000 pension increment. The increment was first introduced alongside the N70,000 minimum wage for public sector workers, but pensioners claim that despite promises from the government, their accrued rights have not been credited. The retirees, who had previously held a peaceful rally at the Ministry of Finance on November 12, 2024, expressed gratitude for the minister’s handling of their concerns but voiced frustration over the unmet promises.
In a letter addressed to the Coordinating Minister of Finance and National Economy, Wale Edun, dated November 25, 2024, the pensioners’ union leadership demanded the immediate payment of the approved N32,000 monthly pension increase for each retiree, which was intended to align with the national minimum wage adjustment. The letter also emphasized the pensioners’ determination to press on with their demands.
The retirees have called for a nationwide protest, scheduled for December 16, 2024, from 12pm, when they plan to converge on the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation in Abuja. The union has threatened to occupy these offices indefinitely until the government addresses the issue and meets their demands.
The pensioners are also urging the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the Contributory Pension Scheme and take urgent steps to resolve all outstanding government liabilities in the sector before the protest date. They warned that failure to meet their demands would result in a public spectacle, with retired senior citizens occupying key government offices until their voices were heard.
The protest is a continuation of the pensioners’ efforts to ensure that the promised pension increases are delivered, as they seek to secure the financial stability they were promised upon retirement.
