The House of Representatives has demanded that the Federal Government immediately implement the approved pension increments and release all palliatives meant for Nigerian pensioners.
Lawmakers specifically directed the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Humanitarian Services, Office of the Accountant-General, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to act without delay.
During plenary, Rep. Ibrahim Ayokunle moved a motion of urgent national importance, urging the government to address the worsening hardship pensioners face due to unpaid pension increments and delayed palliative distribution.
Ayokunle reminded the House that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a ₦25,000 wage award and a ₦32,000 pension increment for federal retirees in October 2023. He lamented that many pensioners have yet to receive these benefits.
“Pensioners across Nigeria continue to struggle with inadequate income, poor health, and unmet basic needs,” he said, stressing that the government’s failure to implement the approved measures violates the constitution’s provisions on social justice and citizen welfare.
He warned that withholding palliatives and delaying pension increases undermines constitutional values and threatens social stability. He cited numerous unresolved petitions from pensioners and advocacy groups as evidence of neglect.
The House called on the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National Pension Commission to conduct a thorough audit of pension payments. Lawmakers also recommended creating a dedicated task force to monitor implementation and resolve pension-related complaints swiftly.
They urged state governments to replicate federal efforts to prioritize pensioner welfare and encouraged the Nigerian Pensioners’ Association and other stakeholders to collaborate with government agencies on advocacy and oversight.
To ensure follow-through, the House mandated its Committees on Finance, Pensions, Labour & Employment, Humanitarian Services, and Legislative Compliance to oversee full implementation of the resolutions.
Lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the rights and improving the well-being of the nation’s senior citizens.
