In a tense but peaceful demonstration on Monday, a group of federal pensioners took to the Lagos office of the Pension Transitional Arrangements Directorate (PTAD) to demand the immediate payment of their long-awaited ₦32,000 pension increase.

Led by Mukaila Ogunbote, Chairman of the Coalition of Federal Pensioners (Lagos Chapter), the retirees carried placards with bold messages like “PTAD is all about you, stop selection” and “No ₦32,000 increment.”

According to Ogunbote, the delay in implementing the raise approved by President Bola Tinubu last year has pushed many elderly citizens “to the brink of survival.” He accused Finance Minister Wale Edun of being a stumbling block, urging him to “give us our money” and calling on the federal government to act swiftly.

President Tinubu had ordered the implementation of “long-overdue pension increases and a minimum pension guarantee” just last week, following a briefing from PenCom’s Director General, Omolola Oloworaran. The move was meant to provide a safety net for vulnerable retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

However, PTAD Liaison Officer Cashmir Audu addressed the protesters, confirming the President’s approval but citing a lack of funds as the reason for the delay.

“It is the civil right of pensioners to protest anytime,” Audu said. “The ₦32,000 was approved last year, but unfortunately, we don’t have the funds yet.”

 

For many of these retirees, the monthly pension they currently receive is meager, barely enough to cover basic needs. Until the increase is implemented, they say they will keep raising their voices, hoping their cry for dignity in retirement will be heard.