By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ogun State Council, has criticized the protest staged by some aggrieved pensioners in Abeokuta on Monday, December 8, 2025, describing the action as unnecessary and misleading. The union stated that the demonstration did not reflect the true situation of ongoing engagements between the government and pensioners.

In a joint statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Chief Waheed Oloyede, and Secretary, Comrade Bola Lawal, the union expressed disappointment over the protest. They stressed that Governor Dapo Abiodun has consistently shown commitment toward improving the welfare of retirees across the state.

The NUP leadership noted that the governor had recently approved the disbursement of palliatives to retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). According to them, those who retired from July 2, 2025, had already received their payments, confirming that the process was transparent and ongoing.

The union also highlighted that retirees from tertiary institutions who voluntarily left service but later fulfilled the 35-year service or 60-year age requirement had been migrated to the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). These retirees, they added, have since been paid their entitlements as approved by the government.

Beyond this, the union revealed that the state government was in the process of finalizing lump-sum payments for CPS retirees. It explained that the funds would be released soon, adding that the administration had been consistent in settling outstanding gratuities under the DBS.

According to the NUP, local government retirees have been paid up to the 2017/2018 batch, while state retirees have received payments stretching to 2019. This, they said, reflects the governor’s steady commitment to clearing backlogs that had accumulated over the years.

The union further disclosed that the fourth quarter gratuity for 2025 was expected to be released soon. However, it appealed to Governor Abiodun to expedite approval for the long-awaited pension adjustment for older pensioners, some of whom have endured financial hardship due to outdated payment structures.

Expressing gratitude, the Ogun State NUP commended Governor Abiodun for prioritizing pensioners’ wellbeing and pledged continued cooperation with his administration. The union reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the government to ensure that retirees in Ogun State live with dignity, stability, and peace of mind.