The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has distanced itself from any planned protest over the recently announced N32,000 pension increment for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). The union described the reports of an impending protest as misleading and unauthorized, urging its members to ignore such calls.
Speaking in Abuja after a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), the Deputy National President of the union, Chief Abdulahi Onu, reiterated NUP’s commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement rather than confrontation.
Onu stressed that the union’s leadership is satisfied with the clarifications provided by PTAD regarding the pension increment and ongoing efforts to clear outstanding arrears. He said any protest being proposed by factions or local groups does not represent the official stance of the NUP.
“Our leadership is satisfied with the explanation of PTAD on the issue of the N32,000 pension increment and its efforts at clearing the arrears. We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts at making the conditions of pensioners better,” Chief Onu said.
He specifically mentioned the NIPOST Lagos Branch and other splinter factions as being behind the circulation of protest notices, which he described as “unilateral and unauthorised.”
“We are directing our members to stay away from the rumoured protest called by some group of pensioners. PTAD is attending to the issues and concerns of pensioners regarding the N32,000 pension increase and we trust that the efforts of the agency towards making payment will come to fruition in no distant time,” Onu added.
He warned that no branch, chapter, or sector of the pensioners’ union has the authority to initiate or announce protests without approval from the national leadership. According to him, such actions are not only unacceptable but also contrary to the character of a responsible labour union.
PTAD had earlier disclosed plans to implement the N32,000 increase and clear outstanding arrears, following the Federal Government’s approval aimed at improving the welfare of pensioners under the DBS category.
The clarification by the NUP comes at a time of heightened speculation and anxiety among retired workers, particularly those under the old pension structure, many of whom have been grappling with delayed payments and poor living conditions.
The NUP leadership has continued to advocate for a peaceful and coordinated approach to addressing pensioners’ concerns, insisting that unnecessary protests could jeopardize ongoing engagements with the government and PTAD.
