Retired federal civil servants in Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina have voiced deep frustration over delays in receiving their retirement benefits, further strained by Nigeria’s challenging economic situation. Many retirees, some of whom left service as far back as March 2023, report they are still waiting on accrued pensions.
In Kaduna, Ahmad Kawure, a former employee of the National Directorate of Employment, expressed dismay after nearly a year of waiting for his pension, which remains unpaid. “My pension administrator has yet to explain the reason for the delay, but we’ve heard it is due to the federal government’s inability to pay the National Pension Commission (PENCOM),” Kawure said, adding that retirees must wait for PENCOM to disburse funds to pension administrators before any payments can reach them.
Anonymously, another federal retiree in Kaduna criticized the government’s approach, emphasizing that individuals who devoted 35 years to civil service deserve timely and respectful treatment. He recommended that accrued pension contributions be transferred to PENCOM ahead of retirees’ exit dates to prevent such delays.
“Many retirees have no homes of their own and rely on retirement savings to secure housing or start a business,” he added. “The government should prioritize timely payments to support these people who gave their working years to public service.”
In Kano, both state and federal retirees face similar challenges, with delayed monthly pensions and lump-sum payments compounding their financial struggles. A retiree, Baba Isa, shared that despite completing the required paperwork, he has yet to receive any funds from his Pension Fund Administrator (PFA). “It’s draining to live without a stable income since retirement, and my savings are dwindling fast,” he explained.
Another retiree, Adamu Aminu, spoke of how the delay has worsened his health, as he can’t afford vital medications. “I urge the PFA to release my pension—it’s been over a year now,” he said.
Salisu Nura, another retiree, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to address the situation, emphasizing how increased fuel costs and inflation are hitting pensioners especially hard. “The government must adjust pensions to match any rise in the minimum wage,” he noted.
In Katsina, a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) condemned the pension system as exploitative. Abdulrahman Abdullah, chair of the coalition, argued that the scheme benefits pension administrators more than retirees. “Pension administrators profit from workers’ contributions throughout their employment, yet retirees must wait months, sometimes over a year, to access their funds,” Abdullah explained. He suggested that workers be trained in investment strategies before retirement, allowing them to use their gratuities as capital for future endeavors.
With many waiting six to twelve months to access their entitlements, Mr. Abdullah called the system “a blatant exploitation of workers.”
