Nigerian pensioners are billed to begin a nationwide strike on Friday due to the government’s failure to increase their pension, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners has said.

Outgoing President of the NUP, Abel Afolayan, in a statement on Wednesday, lamented the poor treatment of pensioners by the government, according to The Punch.

Speaking at the 11th quadrennial delegate conference of the union in Abuja, Afolayan noted that the welfare of pensioners remains terrible as their members languish in abject poverty amidst rising prices of daily needs.

As such, he noted that the NUP would ground the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the protest, so as to get the attention of the appropriate authorities.

“We are protesting because they have refused to release the letter of pension increment consequential upon the minimum wage and salary adjustment to workers, two years after that was done.

“The welfare of pensioners are still terrible. The pensioners are not being treated well at all. Many pensioners are suffering. Some earn as low as N5,000 and they are not being paid as and when due. Even as we speak now, the pension increase, consequential upon the national minimum wage and salary adjustment, is yet to be effected two years after those of the workers have been done,” he said.

In the same vein, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, echoed the lamentable condition of the pensioners.

He said, “I call on governments to prioritise the payment of pensioners as and when due. The issue is not of fund to pay but priority. Imo State remain the worst in payment.”

However, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige,  the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Yerima Tarfa, informed the pensioners of the government’s commitment to taking necessary steps to address welfare issues

He said, “Distinguished senior citizens, permit me to use this opportunity to inform you that the Federal Government is mindful of your sacrifices and contributions to the Nigerian project and is committed to taking necessary steps to address issues that border on improving your welfare.

“My ministry has decided to take the lead on the lingering issue of consequential adjustment to pension of Nigerian pensioners which had been overdue since 2019 when the new Minimum Wage Act was signed into law by Mr. President. In this regard, therefore, we are hopeful that working with other agencies of government, there would be some light at the end of the tunnel.”