DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Lagos retirees demand pension increase, threaten protest

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Lagos State retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme are threatening a protest on August 31 if their pension increase is not implemented by August 19.
  • The retirees, represented by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, CPS, cite prolonged delays by the Lagos State Pension Commission in processing the adjustment, which is based on a national template.
  • They expressed frustration over the delays, stating the lack of funds is severely impacting their ability to meet basic needs after decades of service.

Retirees in Lagos State, operating under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), have issued a stern ultimatum, threatening a mass protest on August 31 if the state government fails to implement a proposed pension increase by August 19. The retirees, organized under the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), CPS, voiced deep frustration over what they describe as persistent delays by the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) in processing the adjustment.

Till date, LASPEC has been foot-dragging, and things are no longer at ease with us.

— Lagos State PensionersExpressing their frustration with the delays in pension adjustments.

The demand for an increased pension follows a template transmitted by the national NUP, CPS leadership to the state government in January. This template is intended for the implementation of a pension increase and wage award approved for federal retirees. The issue has been a subject of discussion, including a meeting at the Government House, Alausa, on May 22, 2025, attended by pensioner representatives, LASPEC officials, and members of the state cabinet. Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has reportedly intervened, and LASPEC Director-General Babalola Obilana confirmed receipt of the template.

However, the retirees claim that despite LASPEC engaging an actuary in February to assess the financial implications of the increase, the adjustment has yet to materialize. They stated that during a May visit to LASPEC, Obilana indicated the actuary's report was submitted but required further clarification before being forwarded for the governor's consideration. The pensioners emphasized the severe toll these delays are taking, stating, "We are dying daily due to paucity of funds to take care of ourselves after serving the state meritoriously for 35 years."

We are dying daily due to paucity of funds to take care of ourselves after serving the state meritoriously for 35 years.

— Lagos State PensionersHighlighting the severe financial hardship caused by the delayed pension increase.

The union's July 31, 2026, letter to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, signed by council chairman Michael Omisande, formally conveyed the ultimatum. It demands that pension accounts be credited by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) by August 19. Failure to meet this deadline, the retirees warned, will compel over 50,000 CPS pensioners to stage a large-scale demonstration, which they termed a 'Mother of Protest.'

If our demands are not met, sir, at the expiration of the ultimatum, over 50,000 CPS pensioners will have no choice but to stage a ‘Mother of Prot

— Lagos State PensionersStating their intention to protest if the pension increase is not implemented.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog