The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has decried the deplorable conditions of public sector retirees in the country, revealing that some pensioners still receive a meager N500 as monthly pension. Alhassan Musa, Secretary of the union in Kaduna State, described the situation as “pathetic,” emphasizing that most affected retirees are struggling to survive after dedicating their lives to serving the nation.
Musa highlighted the disparity in pension payments across states, with those in Southern and oil-producing states being the worst affected. In contrast, pensioners in some Northern states and the FCT receive relatively higher pensions, ranging from N3,500 to N18,000 monthly. However, Kaduna State stands out as an exception, with retirees earning a minimum pension of N30,000 monthly, implemented by the state government in 2020.
The union is advocating for a 50% increment in pension payments, in line with the new N70,000 national minimum wage. Musa emphasized that pensioners should enjoy the same benefits as workers, receiving a minimum pension of N70,000 monthly. He also drew attention to the challenges faced by retirees under the contributory pension scheme, who are yet to receive their benefits despite retiring up to 10 years ago.
Musa attributed the pension crisis to the failure of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to remit monthly contributions to individual workers’ accounts, resulting in delayed pension payments. He urged the government to address this issue and ensure that retirees receive their deserved pensions promptly.
