The coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria, has threatened a nationwide naked protest on November 24 if the government fails to pay their outstanding pension increment arrears and palliative allowances.

The coalition’s National Chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote, announced this during a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ogunbote, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NIPOST Chapter, said the protest would hold if the Federal Government failed to fulfil its promise of paying the N32,000 approved pension increment arrears and the N25,000 palliative allowance approved since 2023.

He said pensioners in the diaspora had identified with retirees in Nigeria and would join the protest from their respective countries, making it not just a nationwide but a worldwide protest.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and direct the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to release the funds.

According to him, many pensioners have died and many more are dying due to hardship, as they are unable to feed well or access proper medical treatment when ill.

“We were told that our arrears would be paid within two weeks of the approval, yet nothing has been done.

“If by November 23, we do not receive payment, all pensioners nationwide will embark on a naked protest on November 24,” Ogunbote said.

He lamented that while workers had received their allowances, pensioners were left out.

“Workers received the N35,000 palliative in a month, but up till now, pensioners have not been paid the N25,000 approved for us. We are more vulnerable than anyone else.

“We are appealing to President Bola Ahmed to intervene in the matter,” he said.

Ogunbote appealed to the government to pay the owed money before December to allow pensioners to prepare for the Christmas celebration.

He criticised the Nigeria Labour Congress for not supporting pensioners more actively in their demand for payment.

He called for unity among workers to address the injustices perpetrated by the government, accusing it of prioritising other expenditures while neglecting pensioners.

He also appealed to the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General to release the owed funds urgently, as many pensioners were struggling to survive.

The President of the Civil Service Pensioners, Francis Oluwo, said those surrounding President Tinubu were not executing instructions as mandated by him.

Oluwo appealed to the Federal Government to act swiftly, noting that many retirees were living in poor health conditions and could barely afford medication or food.

He said the naked protest was necessary to pressure the government to take appropriate payment action.

Bridget Obieto, the Assistant Secretary of the Voice of Nigeria Pensioners Association, called on the NLC to use its influence to address pensioners’ demands.

Obieto said there was a need for better support and compensation for workers who had suffered due to their service to the nation.

She urged the Federal Government to prioritise the needs of workers and pensioners over other expenditures.

“We have served this country faithfully for over 35 years. Now that we are old, the government must not abandon us.

“We appeal to the President and First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, to ensure the prompt payment of our arrears before December to enable us to celebrate the festive season with dignity,” she said.

Elijah Akindutire, Chairman Emeritus of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NIPOST Chapter, also appealed to the Federal Government to pay the arrears so that pensioners could feed well.

Akindutire called for a large turnout at the protest on November 24 to demonstrate the pensioners’ determination.