“Pensioners Threaten Nationwide Nude Protests Over Unpaid Arrears”
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
THE Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has announced plans for nationwide nude protests on Monday 8 December to demand the payment of long-delayed pension increment arrears and outstanding palliative allowances approved since 2023.
In a statement issued in Lagos, the coalition’s National Chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote—who also heads the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NIPOST Chapter)—accused the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of ignoring repeated appeals for the release of the funds. He said pensioners across the country have endured severe hardship while waiting for the approved arrears of ₦32,000 pension increment and ₦25,000 palliative allowance for six months.
Ogunbote said the demonstration would take place simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos, and all state capitals. Protesters are expected to converge on the offices of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and local stations of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to amplify their grievances.
He urged chairmen and secretaries of all affiliated pensioners’ organisations to mobilise their members en masse, noting that the nude protest was meant to dramatise the “wound that our clothes are covering” and call attention to the suffering of aged retirees.
Ogunbote added that the protests would continue indefinitely until pensioners receive payment alerts reflecting the outstanding ₦32,000 increment and ₦25,000 palliative allowance. He advised those unable to travel long distances to come prepared with mats, insisting that all members must stand up for their rights.
