Nigerian pensioners, rallying under the banner of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), have expressed outrage over their exclusion from the newly formed National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee. In a fiery statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, NUP President Godwin Abumisi warned of drastic action, including a planned protest where pensioners would demonstrate naked to highlight their desperation.
Highlighting the dire circumstances faced by pensioners across the country, Abumisi lamented that the government’s neglect has led to widespread suffering and even deaths among their ranks. Shockingly low pension payouts, as little as N450 monthly in some states like Enugu, have exacerbated the plight of retired workers, pushing many to the brink of destitution.
Abumisi emphasized the urgent need for pensioners’ representation in the committee, stressing that their voices must be heard in negotiations affecting their livelihoods. Despite being the sole recognized body representing civil and para-military pensioners nationwide, the NUP was glaringly absent from the committee’s membership roster, sparking indignation among its members.
The looming threat of a naked protest underscores the depth of frustration and desperation among Nigeria’s elderly population, who feel marginalized and forgotten by the government. As tensions escalate, the ball is now in the government’s court to address the legitimate grievances of pensioners and ensure their inclusion in critical decision-making processes affecting their welfare.
