NUP warns against planned protest by coalition pensioners

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has issued a strong warning, distancing itself from a planned “naked protest” reportedly being organised by a group calling itself the Coalition of Pensioners against the Federal Government’s agency, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

In a statement signed by its national president, Comrade Godwin I. Abumisi, the union said its attention was drawn to a “purported threat by some group of pensioners threatening fire and brimstone to embark on a (naked) protest” over the pending six-month arrears arising from the N32,000 pension increase.

The union acknowledged that arrears are indeed owed across board, but stressed that it prefers “to toe the line of peace and dialogue which is already ongoing and is yielding the desired results,” noting that the Federal Government “has gradually commenced the payment of the arrears in contention, especially the N32,000 monthly pension increase in the month of September 2023 to all categories of pensioners.”

Reaffirming its legitimacy, the union declared that the Abumisi-led leadership remains “the authentic and constitutionally recognised voice of Nigeria pensioners” and that only its directives on whether to protest or not are valid.

NUP said it was compelled to issue the clarification because the planned demonstration “does not have the blessing or authorisation of the union,” stressing that “any pensioner or group of pensioners who decide to embark on such protest does that at their own risk.” The union reminded its members that as senior citizens, they “must be seen to be playing the exemplary role of elder statesmen expected of us always.”

Reiterating its commitment to dialogue, the union emphasised: “We wish to categorically and unequivocally state that the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and her teeming members have no plan to embark on any protest as we believe that to jaw-jaw is better than to war-war.” It appealed to aggrieved members to “sheathe your sword and toe the line of peace,” revealing that discussions with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation on 19 November 2025 ended with an assurance “that substantial part of the arrears would be paid alongside the November 2025 monthly pension.”

The union nevertheless urged the Federal Government to address lingering issues, particularly the unpaid N25,000 fuel-subsidy palliative for three months approved in October 2023.

“Workers have been paid ever since but pensioners are yet to be paid even after meeting up with all the necessary requirements,” the statement noted. It also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “keep to its promise to the senior citizens by fast-tracking the release of funds for the payment of the 3-month outstanding palliative” through the National Social Safety Net, warning that this would help “forestall the building of further industrial action being contemplated by our members.”

The union ended with a renewed call for calm as it continues to push for the full settlement of all outstanding entitlements.