The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has commended President Bola Tinubu over his recent strides to transform pension administration in the country.
The national president of the union, Mr Godwin Abumisi, said this at the 12th Quadrennial National Delegates’ Conference of the union, on Tuesday in Kano.
The conference was being hosted by the Kano State Government.
Abumisi applauded the president over the release of N758 billion to clear backlogs of accrued rights of pensioners, approval of a 20 percent pension increase and the implementation of an N32,000 minimum pension.
He described the gesture as a “commendable milestone” towards improving the welfare of pensioners in the country.
“We appeal to the president to release enough funds to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), to commence implementation immediately and settle the 10 months outstanding arrears,” he said.
The NUP president also drew the attention of the federal government to the plight of pensioners of the defunct Nigeria Airways, lamenting that they had suffered neglect since the liquidation of the airline in 2004.
“Despite a partial payment of N45 billion by the previous administration, a balance of N36 billion remains unpaid,” he said and called for the release of funds through the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), to settle the entitlements.
He commended stakeholders for their roles in sustaining pension reforms over the past four years, including state governors, the National Assembly, PENCOM, PTAD and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Abumisi also thanked Gov. Abba Kabir -Yusuf, for his support to the association and pensioners in the state.
“Having paid accumulated gratuity arrears amounting to N16 billion in less than two years in office, which formed the basis for conferring on him the ‘Outstanding Pensioner-Friendly Governor’ Award in 2024.
“I implore all delegates to explore and enjoy the serenity of the ancient city of Kano,” he said.
The NUP also conferred the ‘Pensioners-Friendly Governor’ Award on Gov. Muhammad Bago of Niger, which he personally received.
The conference was attended by delegates from across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
