Federal government pensioners took to the streets on Monday, blocking access to the Ministry of Finance in Abuja, to protest the non-payment of their accrued pension rights.
The protest, led by Comrade Sylva Nwaiwu, the National Chairman of the National Union of Contributory Pensioners, emphasises the growing frustration among retirees who have been waiting for years to access their entitlements.
Nwaiwu, who addressed the crowd during the demonstration, emphasized the urgency of the matter, calling for immediate action by the federal government.
He stated that many pensioners, some of whom retired as far back as 2003, are still unable to access their benefits due to delays in transferring their accrued rights to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
“Many of our members, who retired under the old pension scheme, are being denied access to their funds, which have been delayed by the government.
This protest is a cry for justice. We demand that these funds be transferred to the PFAs immediately, as promised by the Pension Act,” Nwaiwu said.
Under the Pension Act, the federal government is obligated to transfer accrued rights — pension benefits earned under the previous pension scheme, which existed before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004 — to PFAs, where they can be accessed by retirees.
However, delays in these transfers have left many retirees in financial distress, unable to access the pensions they worked for throughout their careers.
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The protesters, including elderly men and women, waved placards bearing messages like “Pay Us Our Due!” and “We Are Dying While Waiting!” Their peaceful demonstration brought traffic to a standstill around the Ministry of Finance, as they demanded the immediate release of their entitlements.
“We worked hard for these benefits. It’s unfair that the government has ignored our cries for so long. We can’t afford to wait any longer,” one of the pensioners, Mrs. Adamu, said tearfully.
In response to the protest, government officials have yet to make a public statement, but sources within the Ministry of Finance indicated that talks are underway to address the issue.
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