Federal Pensioners Protest in Lagos Over Unpaid ₦32,000 Pension Increase

A coalition of federal pensioners on Monday, August 11, 2025, staged a peaceful protest at the Pension Transitional Arrangements Directorate (PTAD) office in Lagos, demanding the immediate implementation of a ₦32,000 pension increase earlier approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The demonstration was led by Mukaila Ogunbote, Chairman of the Coalition of Federal Pensioners, Lagos Chapter. Many of the retirees carried placards with inscriptions such as “PTAD is all about you, stop selection” and “No ₦32,000 increment.”

According to Daily Trust, the pensioners accused the federal government of delaying the payment despite the President’s directive and blamed Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, for allegedly obstructing the release of funds.

Pensioners Lament Delay in Increment Implementation

Speaking during the protest, Ogunbote said the prolonged delay has pushed many retirees “to the brink of survival.” He urged the government to act swiftly, noting that the meagre monthly pensions they currently receive are insufficient to meet basic living expenses.

“The Finance Minister should give us our money,” Ogunbote said, accusing Wale Edun of contributing to their hardship.

President Tinubu had approved the increment last year and reaffirmed his directive on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, after receiving a briefing from Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). The adjustment aimed to implement “long-overdue pension increases and a minimum pension guarantee” for vulnerable retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

PTAD’s Response: “Funds Are Not Yet Available”

Addressing the protesters, Cashmir Audu, PTAD’s Liaison Officer, acknowledged their grievances and confirmed that the ₦32,000 increase had indeed been approved by the President. However, he cited funding constraints as the reason for the delay.

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

Background on the ₦32,000 Pension Increase

The proposed ₦32,000 pension increase is part of the federal government’s plan to enhance the welfare of retirees, particularly those in the lower income bracket. The minimum pension guarantee under the CPS is designed to ensure that no pensioner falls below a basic standard of living.

However, implementation challenges — including budgetary constraints, administrative delays, and alleged bureaucratic bottlenecks — have slowed the rollout, sparking dissatisfaction among retirees nationwide.

What Pensioners Can Do Next

For pensioners seeking updates, PTAD advises:

Regularly visiting the PTAD official website for announcements.
Monitoring PenCom’s updates on policy changes.
Following verified government social media accounts to avoid misinformation.

Conclusion

The Lagos protest underscores growing frustration among pensioners over the slow pace of implementing President Tinubu’s approved pension increment. As the federal government and PTAD continue to face funding hurdles, pensioners remain hopeful that the ₦32,000 raise will be implemented without further delay.

For more information on pension-related updates, visit PTAD’s official portal or PenCom’s website.

Punch

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