Police Tear-Gas Pensioners Protesting Unpaid Benefits In Lagos

Police Tear-Gas Pensioners Protesting Unpaid Benefits in Lagos

Tension rose in Lagos on Monday as police officers reportedly fired tear gas to disperse pensioners protesting at the Lagos House in Ikeja and the Lagos State House of Assembly over unpaid pension increases, wage awards and other outstanding benefits. The protesters, comprising members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners NUP and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme CPS, gathered at the government premises to demand the implementation of approved pension adjustments and the payment of accumulated arrears. The pensioners had previously given the Lagos State Government an August 31 deadline to address their grievances, particularly over pension enhancements and wage awards. The situation became tense when police reportedly deployed tear gas, forcing some of the retirees to leave the premises. The action drew criticism from human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who called for the identification and prosecution of the officers involved. The National Pension Commission PenCom has meanwhile begun discussions with the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Pension Commission over complaints concerning delayed pension increases and wage awards for retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme. PenCom said it recognised the concerns of the pensioners and the importance of ensuring that retirees receive benefits legitimately due to them. The Lagos State Government had previously said it had paid billions of naira to thousands of pensioners, but retirees maintain that outstanding adjustments and other entitlements remain unpaid. Following Monday’s protest, the pensioners are expected to meet with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu later in the week to present their demands and seek a resolution to the outstanding issues. The development has renewed concerns over the welfare of retired workers amid rising living costs and prolonged delays in the payment of pension-related benefits.