The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has intensified dialogue with recognised pension unions in a bid to avert a planned protest by a faction of pensioners and to reinforce coordinated communication within the sector.
At an emergency meeting in Abuja, Executive Secretary of PTAD, Tolulope Odunaiya, met with the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN), alongside senior PTAD management. The session focused on addressing grievances raised by dissenting groups and ensuring that pensioners’ welfare and dignity remain central to ongoing reforms.
PTAD outlined recent milestones aimed at improving the welfare of retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme. These include the implementation of the ₦32,000 minimum wage pension adjustment, the application of the 10.66% and 12.95% pension increments, and securing a ₦45 billion emergency allocation for payments and arrears. The Directorate also clarified that the much-discussed ₦25,000 palliative falls under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, although PTAD is monitoring developments and will provide updates as necessary.
Concerns were raised about the planned demonstration by a faction of pensioners, especially its proposed “naked” protest format, which stakeholders fear could erode the dignity of elderly citizens and undermine ongoing efforts to address their concerns.
Leaders of NUP and FEPPPAN distanced their organisations from the planned action and reaffirmed their preference for structured, peaceful engagement. They urged pensioners to convey grievances through recognised channels.
PTAD assured the unions of continued collaboration, improved communication, and sustained commitment to protecting the dignity and well-being of all pensioners under its care.
