The Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights of its members and strengthening the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in Nigeria.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the union’s ninth anniversary celebration, the National Chairman, Mr. Sylva Nwaiwu, said the union would continue to defend pensioners’ interests and collaborate with stakeholders to improve the system.
The event, themed “Freedom of Association: A Fundamental Human Right in Nigeria,” reflected, according to Mr. Nwaiwu, the challenges the union faced before attaining recognition and making progress within the pension sector. He said the celebration underscored the sector’s nationwide growth and the need for unity under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP).
Mr. Nwaiwu described the anniversary theme as central to the union’s survival, noting that members had endured nine years of struggle and opposition.
“We have endured nine years of intense struggle, opposition, and attacks by both visible and invisible forces,” he said.
He explained that although the Contributory Pension Scheme was introduced in 2004 and retirements under the scheme began in 2007, retirees were not unionised until 2017.
According to him, NUPCPS was officially recognised and inaugurated in 2017 as a sector of the NUP following approval by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Mr. Nwaiwu said the inauguration was witnessed by key stakeholders in the pension industry, including representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the National Assembly, and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He recalled that, prior to the sector’s formation, CPS retirees grappled with underfunded pension budgets, delays in the release of approved funds, and about 20 months of unpaid accrued rights.
Many retirees, he added, were denied pension increases and often waited prolonged periods before accessing their benefits.
However, Mr. Nwaiwu said sustained engagement with the National Assembly, PenCom, and other stakeholders had led to significant improvements in CPS administration.
“Pension budgets are now fully appropriated and released as at when due, while remittance of accrued rights has been regularisedwith zero arrears,” he said.
He added that CPS retirees now receive their retirement benefits in the same month they retire, unlike in the past, when some waited months or even years.
Mr. Nwaiwu also noted that pension increases had been extended to CPS retirees, including those who transitioned from the old Defined Benefit Scheme, with arrears currently being addressed.
Citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, he emphasised that individuals have the right to assemble freely and belong to associations, including trade unions.
The chairman expressed concern over attempts to fragment the NUP through the creation of parallel unions. He alleged that certain individuals were seeking to register a separate union for CPS retirees despite the existence of NUPCPS as a recognised sector under the NUP.
He said the sector had expanded over the past nine years, establishing structures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and was prepared to resist any move to remove it from the NUP.
Mr. Nwaiwu also appealed to the Minister of Labour and Employment to safeguard members’ constitutional right to freedom of association, describing NUPCPS members as bona fide Nigerian and senior citizens.
He commended the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu and the Director-General of PenCom, Ms. Bridget Oloworaran, for ongoing reforms in the pension sector.
The chairman further praised the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the media for supporting the welfare of CPS retirees.
Also speaking at the event, the Senior Assistant General Secretary of the union, Mr. Ahmed Gazali, said pensioners were still awaiting their agreed palliative payments.
He explained that, in October 2023, the Federal Government reached an agreement with labour unions to provide palliative support to workers and pensioners.
“It was agreed in the MOU that workers would receive N30,000 for six months, while pensioners would get N25,000 for three months,” Mr. Gazali said.
He noted that while workers had received their payments, pensioners were yet to receive the three-month palliative package.
“Pensioners will not forget this. We call on the President to direct the appropriate authorities to ensure that this three months palliative package is paid to pensioners,” he added.
Mr. Gazali also stated that Pension Fund Administrators now process pension payments directly without awaiting approval from PenCom, a reform he said had expedited the process.
He highlighted the importance of health insurance under the PENCARE initiative, noting that many pensioners were anticipating improved healthcare support.
According to him, the Federal Government’s directive on free medical services for Nigerian pensioners represents a positive step towards enhancing the wellbeing of elderly citizens.
Mr. Gazali further urged the Federal Government to ensure that employers, including those in the private sector, implement pension increases as provided for in the 1999 Constitution.
He commended the leadership of PenCom for introducing reforms and innovations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s pension system.
