Hundreds of pensioners in Lagos State on Monday staged a warning protest over the delayed implementation of a proposed pension increase, giving the state government until August 31 to act or face a larger demonstration.
The protesters, under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme, said they were dissatisfied with the delay by the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Pension Commission in implementing the adjustment.
The pensioners marched through parts of the state to draw attention to their demand and warned that failure to receive a favourable response before the deadline would lead to a bigger protest in Alausa.
The union’s secretary, Olagbaye Johnson, said the demonstration was meant to give the government another chance to resolve the matter before pensioners across the state mobilise for a larger action.
According to him, the pensioners have held several discussions with state officials and were previously assured that Lagos would review its pension payments following changes made at the federal level.
Johnson said the union later obtained the template used for the federal pension adjustment and submitted it to the relevant state authorities for consideration.
He added that an actuarial assessment connected to the proposed adjustment was completed in May, but the pensioners had yet to see any implementation.
The union expressed concern that continued delays could push the matter into the next administration after the 2027 elections, leaving elderly retirees to cope with increasing living costs without the expected improvement in their pension payments.
Johnson said pensioners had already begun mobilising members across the 26 zones of Lagos State and were prepared to converge on Alausa if the government failed to respond positively by the August 31 deadline.
The pensioners also pointed to the Federal Government’s approval of funds for contributory pensioners, arguing that similar action should be taken at the state level.
They said their demand was based on the need to improve the welfare of retirees who are struggling with the rising cost of food, healthcare and other basic needs.
In response, the Lagos State Pension Commission defended the record of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in handling pension obligations but did not give a clear date for implementing the latest increase demanded by the protesters.
LASPEC said the state had paid about N168.2 billion to more than 48,000 retirees since 2007. It added that over N92 billion had been paid in accrued pension rights to more than 25,000 retirees since Sanwo-Olu became governor in 2019.
The commission also said Lagos increased pension contributions in 2020, with employers contributing 10 per cent and employees contributing eight per cent under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
It further disclosed that N5 billion was paid to 1,963 retirees in July 2024 to clear outstanding obligations under the scheme.
According to the commission, the state has also introduced faster gratuity payments for sick pensioners and continued to make pension payments into retirees’ Retirement Savings Accounts.
LASPEC said it had provided welfare support to pensioners on different occasions to help them cope with economic difficulties.
The commission also referred to payments made to retirees under the Defined Benefits Scheme, including wage awards and subsequent pension increases.
It disclosed that 1,862 retirees had received more than N4 billion so far in 2026, while another N1 billion was expected to be paid to about 700 retirees within the following week.
However, the pension commission did not directly confirm whether the pension increase being demanded by the protesting contributory pensioners would be implemented before August 31.
The pensioners have maintained their position and said they would proceed with a larger mobilisation at Alausa if the state government fails to provide a satisfactory response by the deadline.