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Pensioners Appeal to FG for Payment of Outstanding Pensions, Voice Distress Over Hardships

Published by admin on July 28th, 2025.

Pensioners Appeal to FG for Payment of Outstanding Pensions, Voice Distress Over Hardships

Many pensioners living in the Federal Capital Territory have voiced deep frustration over the prolonged delay in receiving their pension arrears.

According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), President Bola Tinubu approved a N758 billion Treasury Bond in February, following the Federal Executive Council’s endorsement, aimed at clearing pension backlog. However, the National Assembly only gave its approval for the bond’s implementation on July 22.

This bond is intended to settle long-standing government obligations under the Contributory Pension Scheme for retirees who have been waiting for payments for several years.

The pensioners lamented their difficult circumstances and urgently called for the prompt execution of the N758 billion bond to boost their monthly pensions in line with the current economic realities.

In an interview with NAN, Hajiya Amina Lawal highlighted the plight of pensioners, noting that even employed workers struggle to afford three meals a day, making life even harder for retirees.

“We were hopeful when the president announced the payments, but we never expected such a lengthy wait,” she said. “Many of us have lost hope, and some have even passed away while waiting.”

She pleaded for swift action, adding, “We are too old to be left wandering and suffering like this.”

Another retiree, George Ose, shared the hardships faced by many pensioners, revealing that the strain has even cost lives.

“My family and I are barely surviving. I can’t afford my children’s school fees. My landlord is pressing me for rent, and I no longer have access to the National Health Insurance Scheme,” he said. “If you look into my eyes, you will see the urgency of my medical needs. We have served this nation faithfully, yet now we endure this suffering.”

Joy Adewale, who retired alongside her husband in 2016, also recounted the struggles they face.

“We have been barely making ends meet on our pension. I don’t understand what crime we’ve committed. We devoted 35 years to serving this country,” she said. “After retiring, I started a small business selling soft drinks, but the government demolished my shop.”

She further explained that she sought help from the company whose products she sold to get goods on credit, but was denied. “Even the bank refused me a loan because I am a retiree. I have no one to turn to now except God.”

Adewale appealed to the current government for urgent intervention, saying, “I pray for the souls of our colleagues who have passed. For those of us still alive, we ask God to help us enjoy the rewards of our hard work.”

Nkiru Offor, retired since 2019, reported that although her entitlements were paid in 2021 and regular since, there is an urgent need for an increase.

“My NHIS was cut off soon after retirement, which has been a big burden, forcing me to pay out of pocket for medical tests and drugs,” she said. “Registering for private health insurance is costly, and I’ve even been told there’s an issue with my payment that hasn’t been resolved for months.”

Evans Ubah also called on the Federal Government to address their plight.

“Right now, I struggle just to feed myself. The economy is harsh because of poor leadership. Each year we hear pension fund assets are growing, yet pensioners remain unpaid,” he lamented. “The constitution states pensions and salaries should increase every five years, but this is not happening.”