The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Council, has threatened to stage peaceful protests at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching, Ogbomoso, and Emmanuel Alayande University of Educatio’s gyo, over the alleged failure to implement approved pension increases for retirees.
The union announced that the protests would commence on August 18 if the managements of the two institutions fail to comply with Governor Seyi Makinde’s directive on pension review.
Addressing journalists at the union’s headquarters in Agbarigo, Ibadan, the State Secretary of the NUP, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, said Governor Makinde had approved a comprehensive pension review in January 2025.
According to him, the approval included a minimum monthly pension of N25,000 for the least-paid pensioners, a 33 per cent pension increase, the 2019 consequential adjustment, the 20 per cent pension increase approved in January 2024, and the balance of N17,500 approved in August 2024 for eligible retirees.
“The Governor directed that the least-paid pensioner in Oyo State should earn N25,000 monthly.
”He also approved the implementation of the 33 per cent pension increase, the 2019 consequential adjustment, the 20 per cent pension increase approved in January 2024 and the balance of N17,500 approved in August 2024 for qualified pensioners, ” he said.
Abatan alleged that while most government agencies implemented the directive, the managements of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education had continued to delay compliance despite repeated letters and appeals.
He noted that other tertiary institutions, including Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate; Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa; Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-Ora; and Michael Adeniyi Koleoso Polytechnic, Saki, had already implemented the pension review.
“We have written several letters and sought meetings with the authorities of these institutions.
”Instead of implementing the directive, our members have continued to experience delays and excuses.
”We have waited for about 19 months without any meaningful action, ” he said.
The union further alleged that the two institutions had implemented the new minimum wage and other welfare packages for serving workers while excluding pensioners.
“Pensioners should not be treated differently from serving workers. The Constitution clearly provides that pensions should be reviewed whenever salaries are increased, ” he said.
Abatan disclosed that pensioners from ministries, departments and agencies, retired local government workers, and retired primary school teachers would join the planned demonstrations.
“Beginning from August 18, pensioners will converge on LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education in peaceful protests until the approved pension increases are implemented. An injury to one is an injury to all, ” he said.
He added that the union would also seek the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), urging it to consider a three-day warning strike in the affected institutions.
The union, however, stressed that the planned action is not directed against Governor Makinde but is aimed at ensuring compliance with his approved pension policy.
“Our intention is not to embarrass the Governor, whom we acknowledge as pension-friendly. Rather, we want the managements of the affected institutions to obey his directive and give our members what is due to them,” he said.
