Pensioners of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) have announced their participation in the nationwide naked protest scheduled for December 8.
The pensioners cited prolonged non-payment of pension arrears and palliative allowances as the driving force behind the action.
Bola Popoola, the National Financial Secretary of FRCN Pensioners, confirmed the decision in a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos.
He explained that pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), affiliated with the Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria, have been left with no viable alternative but to join the protest to demand the payment of their accrued entitlements.
“The protest is aimed at pressing for the payment of outstanding pension increments and the N25,000 palliative allowance that has been due for six months, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023,” Popoola stated.
He emphasised that the minimum pension of N32,000, alongside the palliative payments, remains unpaid for many members, leaving them in dire financial circumstances.
The coalition, led nationally by Mr. Mukaila Ogunbote, had previously announced plans for a coordinated protest across Nigeria, emphasising that members living abroad would also stage demonstrations internationally to amplify their demands.
Popoola stressed that these actions reflect the urgency and severity of the situation for pensioners who dedicated decades of service to the nation.
“Pensioners find themselves in vulnerable conditions, having devoted productive years to the service of their country.
”It is distressing that many are left to beg on the streets for what is rightfully theirs,” Popoola lamented, calling for immediate intervention by authorities to address the grievances.
The planned naked protest, a symbolic display of the financial and social neglect faced by retirees, is expected to attract widespread attention and serve as a catalyst for urgent government response.
Popoola urged all affected pensioners to join the movement resolutely and maintain focus on securing the fulfillment of their entitlements.
The FRCN pensioners’ participation highlights the broader struggle among federal retirees in Nigeria, reflecting frustrations over delayed payments, lack of social security support, and unmet government obligations.
Authorities have yet to respond to the protest plans, but pensioners remain committed to pursuing their demands through peaceful demonstration.
