Nigerian pensioners protest unpaid arrears and wage increases

Pensioners in Nigeria are protesting against unpaid arrears and the failure to implement approved pension increases. In Lagos, members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme staged a demonstration at the Lagos State Government Secretariat in Alausa. The protesters are demanding the implementation of pension enhancements, wage awards, and outstanding benefits. The situation turned tense when police deployed tear gas to disperse the group.

Simultaneously, retired members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are calling for pension adjustments. Veterans report that while President Bola Tinubu approved military pay increases in late 2025 and August 2026, the corresponding adjustments for retirees have not been implemented. Protesters argue that stagnant pensions fail to keep pace with the rising cost of living and federal civil service salary reviews, which constitutionally mandate pension reviews every five years.