Ogun Pensioners Call for Release of Gratuities and Pension Increases

Pensioners in Ogun State have issued a heartfelt appeal to Governor Dapo Abiodun, urging him to release outstanding gratuities owed to retirees from January 2021 to June 2025 and to approve increases in pensions for long-serving members. This request was prominently made during the 2026 Pensioners’ Day celebration held in Abeokuta, where the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Ogun State, Comrade Waheed Oloyede, addressed the gathering.

Oloyede commended the Abiodun administration for its previously noted compassion towards pensioners but stressed that further action is required to alleviate the financial burdens faced by retirees. He stated, “As Oliver Twist, we want to ask for more. We humbly request that you benevolently approve that the remaining gratuity from January 2021 to June 2025 be released to would-be beneficiaries, to give our long-expectant members a ray of hope.”

In addition to the call for gratuities, Oloyede highlighted the need for consequential adjustments to pensions in line with a 2019 Federal Government circular and subsequent increases in the national minimum wage. Many retirees, he noted, are still receiving monthly pensions as low as N30,000 despite having left service 10, 25, or even 30 years ago, which poses a significant challenge given the current economic climate.

The NUP chairman's remarks reflect a broader concern among retirees about maintaining their standard of living amidst rising costs. The appeal for increased pension benefits and the release of outstanding gratuities not only aims to provide immediate financial relief but also seeks to restore hope among retirees who have been waiting for their entitlements.