The National Association of Retirees of State Governments has threatened to embark on a nationwide protest if state governors fail to urgently review pension payments in line with existing labour laws.
This disclosure was made by the President of the union, Simon Anchaver, during the inauguration of the Bayelsa interim executive of the association in Yenagoa on April 29, 2026.
The warning came as a result of the growing concerns over irregular and inadequate pension payments across several states.
What they are saying
The union said pensioners across the country are facing hardship due to inconsistent payment practices by some state governments.
It called on all 36 state governors to prioritise pension obligations and ensure compliance with labour laws guiding retiree’s welfare.
The group also urged the Federal Government to take stronger institutional steps to protect pensioners.
- “State governors must prioritise pension payments and align with existing labour laws. Pensioners do not have to suffer due to administrative lapses.”
- “We are calling for the establishment of a Ministry for Pension Affairs to guarantee funding,” they said.
The union specifically appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create a dedicated Ministry for Pension Affairs to ensure consistent budgetary allocations for retirees.
More Insights
The association criticised what it described as arbitrary pension payments by some state governments, noting that many retirees are left uncertain about their income.
However, it commended the Governor of Nasarawa State for releasing N7 billion to clear pension arrears and gratuities, describing it as a step in the right direction.
The union’s National Secretary, Bipre Ndiomu, noted that the association is newly registered and is currently inaugurating state executives nationwide.
He urged governors to establish clear frameworks that will guarantee timely and consistent pension payments.
In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Head of Service, Wisdom Sawyer, represented by Charles Enuma, encouraged the union to act as a bridge between retirees and the government.
He assured the association that the state government remains open to dialogue and engagement on outstanding pension issues.
What you should know
Recent developments in Nigeria’s pension sector highlight ongoing efforts to improve retiree’s welfare, even as challenges around funding and implementation persist.
- Nairametrics reported that the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) recently cleared the final arrears of the N32,000 pension increment, paying over N1.73 billion to more than 54,000 pensioners, marking the full settlement of outstanding obligations.
- In another development, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) announced plans to make Pension Protection Fund contributions mandatory for workers to strengthen retirement security and support vulnerable retirees.
- Earlier, PenCom also approved a 117.3% increase in benefits for NSITF retirees after over two decades without adjustments, reflecting efforts to improve pension payouts.
These developments highlight a mix of policy reforms and funding interventions aimed at improving pension payments, even as retirees continue to demand more consistent and timely disbursements across states.
