Pensioners Plan Nationwide Naked Protest Over Unpaid Arrears

The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has announced plans for a nationwide naked protest to demand payment of outstanding pension increment arrears and palliative allowances. The coalition’s National Chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote, who also chairs the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NIPOST Chapter, revealed the plan in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

Ogunbote said the protest is scheduled for December 8 unless the Federal Government settles arrears of N32,000 for pension increments and N25,000 for palliative allowances, both approved in 2023, beforehand. He criticized the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General’s Office for not taking pensioners’ demands seriously, urging members to mobilize en masse to confront the perceived injustice.

The demonstration is expected to take place in Abuja, Lagos, and across other states, focusing on the offices of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate and in front of Nigeria Television Authority stations. Ogunbote called on all chairmen and secretaries of organizations affiliated with the coalition to encourage members to participate, emphasizing that the protest will continue until the payments are made. He also advised pensioners who cannot participate fully to bring mats, highlighting the coalition’s commitment to visibly demonstrating the hardship faced by retirees.