Pension Increment: Lagos retirees warn of street protest, pick date

Retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme in Lagos State have issued a strong warning to authorities, threatening to stage a mass protest if long-standing pension arrears and the newly approved increment are not paid promptly.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme (NUPCPS), Lagos State chapter, Comrade Michael Omisande, made the declaration during the union’s Open Congress Day on Friday. He said members are growing increasingly frustrated over delays by the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) to complete the cost evaluation required for the implementation of the pension increase.

According to Omisande, pensioners have endured years of financial strain as a result of irregular payments and administrative bottlenecks. He noted that despite repeated assurances from the state government, retirees are yet to see concrete action regarding the settlement of outstanding entitlements.

He drew attention to the case of 60 former employees of the Lagos State University of Education who retired between 2023 and 2026 but have not received their retirement benefits. Omisande revealed that 30 of the affected retirees have since passed away, leaving their families in difficult economic circumstances.

The union leader recalled that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier met with pension representatives at the Alausa Secretariat in May 2025 and promised to address the issue once the Federal Government released its pension implementation template. He explained that the template was eventually received in January 2026 and forwarded to LASPEC for financial assessment.

However, Omisande expressed concern that more than a month after the document was submitted to the commission, no visible progress has been made toward implementing the increment or clearing the arrears.

He warned that if LASPEC fails to conclude the cost analysis and begin payment before the end of March, pensioners would have no alternative but to mobilise for a peaceful protest to press home their demands.

Omisande emphasized that retirees deserve dignity and timely payment after years of dedicated service to the state, adding that continued delays are unacceptable.