Civil and public servants in Ogun State, under the umbrella of organised labour, have demanded the immediate suspension of the State Pension Reform Law, giving the state government a 72-hour ultimatum to initiate dialogue or face possible escalation of the matter to the national level.

 

The workers, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as the government’s persistent failure to fulfill its obligations under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for the past 17 years.

 

Speaking at a press conference held at the NLC Secretariat in Abeokuta on Wednesday, State NLC Chairman, Comrade Hamed Benco, revealed that the Ogun State Government owes over ₦82 billion in unremitted pension contributions.

 

“Arising from meetings held with all affiliates and organs of organised labour on the Contributory Pension Scheme vis-à-vis its full implementation commencing July 1, 2025, we consider it necessary to inform the public of our rejection of the implementation and demand its postponement,” Benco stated.

 

He decried the non-implementation of critical components of the Pension Reform Law 2008 (as amended in 2013), citing the absence of:

 

A functional State Bureau of Contributory Pension

 

A mandatory Contributory Pension Board

 

A comprehensive register or database of contributors

 

Actuarial valuation of past services

 

Mandatory life insurance for workers

 

Remittance of ₦82 billion deducted from workers over 17 years

 

State government’s counterpart remittances to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs)

 

 

“It is clear to us that the Ogun State Government is not prepared to deliver on the expectations of the scheme,” he added.

 

Benco said the unions are demanding the suspension of the State Pension Reform Law and an urgent dialogue with the government within 72 hours.

 

Also speaking, the TUC Chairman, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, lamented the hardship faced by workers, despite their contributions to the state’s economy.

 

“Ogun State workers continue to suffer, and our patience is wearing thin. If our demands are not met, we will escalate this issue to the national labour leadership,” Lasisi warned.

 

As tensions mount, all eyes are now on the state government for a response that could either de-escalate or deepen the unfolding industrial unrest.