…union calls for 50% pension increase
By Hope Temitope
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has expressed deep concern over the lamentable conditions faced by public sector retirees, revealing that some pensioners still receive as little as N500 per month in pensions.
Secretary of the union in Kaduna State, Alhassan Musa, described the situation as “pathetic,” stating that many retirees are living in rickety situations after years of dedicated service to the nation.
“The worst affected are pensioners in several Southern and oil-producing states, despite these regions receiving substantial allocations from the federation’s account,” Musa said.
He however, noted that the situation in some Northern states and the FCT is relatively better, with monthly pensions ranging from N3,500 to N18,000, he also pointed out that only Kaduna State has implemented a N30,000 minimum pension, a policy introduced in 2020 under former Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i’s administration.
Musa expressed the union’s call for a 50% pension increase to match the new N70,000 national minimum wage, noting that even under the Federal Government, some pensioners are still receiving just N10,000 per month.
“We are hopeful that the Federal Government will ensure that no pensioner receives less than N70,000 monthly,” he added, stressing that pensioners deserve the same benefits as active workers.
Musa also showed concerns for the plight of retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), stating, “Many who retired in the last decade are yet to receive their benefits. It is truly a distressing situation, not just in Kaduna but in other states and even at the federal level, where pensioners are suffering due to delayed remittances.”