Federal pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme have called on the Federal Government to urgently address their outstanding pension liabilities, threatening a sustained protest at the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation if their demands are unmet by December 16, 2024.
In an open letter to the Coordinating Minister of Finance and National Economy, Wale Edun, the retirees expressed frustration over the government’s delay in releasing their accrued gratuities for 21 months, covering March 2023 to November 2024.
The pensioners, who staged a peaceful rally at the Ministry of Finance on November 12, appreciated the minister’s “mature and civilised” handling of their grievances.
However, they lamented that promises made during the engagement remain unfulfilled, leaving many retirees in financial distress.
The pensioners are demanding, “Immediate payment of 21 months of accrued rights to retirees under the CPS. Settlement of all unpaid pension increments, including a 15% increase approved in 2007, a 33% increase approved in 2010, Consequential adjustments from the 2019 national minimum wage increase, a 20–28% increase approved in 2024.”
The pensioners’ union leadership warned that retirees nationwide are prepared to occupy key government offices if their demands are not met before the December 16 deadline.
“From 12 pm on the 16th of December 2024, all CPS retirees nationwide will make the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation their homes until the government is ready to meet their demands,” a statement from the group read.
The retirees also called for the declaration of a state of emergency in the CPS sector, citing the government’s consistent failure to meet its financial obligations to public workers.
Union leaders stressed the urgent need for intervention, noting that many pensioners are facing severe hardship due to unpaid entitlements.
They argued that the delays contradict the spirit of the CPS, which aims to ensure financial security for retirees.
As of press time, there has been no official response from the Ministry of Finance or the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation regarding the pensioners’ ultimatum.
