Civil servants back demand for bulk pension payment

…as ASCSN rejects unity schools’ privatisation

The demand by public sector workers for the bulk payment of their contributed pensions gained fresh momentum on Thursday as the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) reaffirmed its push for sweeping amendments to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The union also vowed to resist renewed attempts to privatise unity schools, warning that such moves amount to selling off Nigeria’s collective heritage.

These positions emerged at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Association held in Abuja, where both the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, and the National President of ASCSN spoke on various national issues.

Declaring open the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment praised the Association for its “long-standing commitment to advancing the rights, welfare, and professional development of senior civil servants across our country,” describing ASCSN as a “dependable partner” in strengthening Nigeria’s industrial relations system.

“It is my honour and privilege to join you at this important National Executive Council meeting of your great Association,” the Minister said.

“As a Ministry, we remain fully committed to fostering harmonious industrial relations, promoting decent work, and creating an enabling environment where workers and employers can thrive.”

He emphasised the government’s commitment to social dialogue, noting: “This administration will continue to prioritise social dialogue as a tool for resolving disputes and improving workplace conditions. We are mindful of the challenges being experienced across various sectors, ranging from economic pressures to workplace transformation driven by technology, yet we are equally encouraged by the resilience and professionalism of unions such as yours.”

Calling on delegates to use the meeting to address critical issues facing civil servants, he assured them of the Ministry’s “continued partnership and support.”

ASCSN President, Comrade Shehu Mohammed, in his own address, offered a detailed rundown of the Union’s struggles, victories, and ongoing battles, declaring that the leadership has kept faith with its mandate since emerging from the 2024 Delegates Conference.

“I feel highly privileged to welcome you all to this historical meeting of the National Executive Council of our great Union,” he said. “In the last 12 months, the CWC—keeping with the promise I made on the day of our inauguration—has put machinery in motion toward implementing policies and programmes to strengthen the Union and to promote the interest of members all over the federation.”

He confirmed that the Union’s National Secretariat has now been fully relocated from Lagos to Abuja “for ease of administration and organising,” adding that the once-stalled construction of the new national headquarters in Mabushi has resumed.

Mohammed described the restoration of gratuity for public service employees set to commence in January 2026as a major achievement after years of pressure from the Association. “It is a thing of joy that gratuity to public service employees has been restored more than ten years after it was stopped for no justifiable reason,” he said.

Turning to the contentious Contributory Pension Scheme, the ASCSN President echoed workers’ nationwide discontent with the 25 per cent lump-sum payout allowed under the law.

“The greatest complaint by contributors is that the 25% lump sum paid to them on exiting service is grossly inadequate because it amounts to nothing under the present inflationary trend,” he declared.

“The current request from many contributors is that the total money should be paid in bulk so that retirees who are adults can do any investment they desire with their money.”

According to him, the union is insisting that the CPS Act must be amended to insert a new clause allowing contributors to withdraw their entire savings at once. “Once this clause is added to the Law, there will be no need to amend the entire Act,” he said.

On the renewed push to privatise unity schools, Mohammed warned that the Union remains resolute in its long-standing opposition. “When President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime tried to privatise the Unity Schools under the dubious Public Private Partnership, the Association went to court, carried out a 7-week strike, mobilised Leaderships of Thought, Religious Leaders, PTAs, Student Unions, Civil Society Groups, and the process was stopped,” he recalled.

“As I speak to you now, another set of people is angling to take over King’s College, Lagos, and the current leadership of the Association is doing everything it can to make sure that the schools will not be sold,” he warned.

“The Colleges should remain models for Secondary Education in Nigeria, accessible to all Nigerian children irrespective of tribes and the economic status of their parents.”

He also raised concerns about mounting insecurity nationwide, urging the government to urgently overhaul the country’s security architecture.

“Every day, we read and watch gory tales of citizens being kidnapped, killed, or displaced from their homes. Members of the Association and their families have been largely affected,” he lamented. He proposed a State Police model insulated from abuse by governors through a representative oversight commission involving labour, traditional rulers, political parties, religious groups, and NGOs.

In closing, the ASCSN President urged unity and vigilance among members. “I want to assure you that the current National Leadership of the Association is committed to lifting the banner of the Union to greater heights so that it can remain formidable to continue to fight for members’ welfare,” he said.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE