NUP demands N25,000 minimum pension

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has demanded for N25,000 as new  minimum pension. The union said, it is sad that many pensioners are still paid less than N5,000 pension monthly, even with the high rate of inflation and economic recession.  President of NUP Comrade Abel Afolayan, while addressing the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting […]

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has demanded for N25,000 as new  minimum pension.

The union said, it is sad that many pensioners are still paid less than N5,000 pension monthly, even with the high rate of inflation and economic recession. 

President of NUP Comrade Abel Afolayan, while addressing the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union in Abuja, Thursday, also  said that  many state pensioners were being owed over 12 months. 

He, however, commended the governors of Lagos, Jigawa, Anambra, Enugu and Yobe states, saying, “ these states are not owing our pensioners any monthly pensions and dues and we will not hesitate to sing their praise.” 

He admonished defaulting governors to make amend so that “old men will not be forced to pronounce  curses on them with their grey hair.” 

While the NUP demanded a new N25, 000 national minimum pension per month, the union called for the immediate payment of the 18 months of the 33 per cent pension arrears to the civil pensioners and 39 months areas owed the police pensioners. 

On their new demand, he  declared that it was criminal for a pensioner to collect less than N5,000 monthly in this time of serious economic recession. 

Comrade Afolayan said the union entered into a long negotiation with the federal government for the upward review of pension which finally yielded result when the former SGF directed that Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to issue a circular for 33 per cent pension increase effective from July 1, 2010. 

“Since then, civilian pensioners throughout the country were paid 24 months, out of the 42 months arrears, remaining a balance of 18 months  of which we have a very good assurance that government will pay the balance soonest,’’ he said. 

He said  that   the union was still struggling to ensure that police, NIPOST, electricity, railways, universities pensioners and others who are yet to get full benefit from the government are paid fully.   He assured pensioners across the country that the union would not rest until all of them who are owed get their pensions. 

The Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangements Directorate (PTAD), Sharon Ikeazor, buttressed the position of NUP, saying that civil pensioners were still owed 18 months, while the police pensioners  were owed 39 months.