Pensioners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed deep frustration over the prolonged delay in the payment of their pension arrears, despite President Bola Tinubu’s earlier approval of a ₦758 billion Treasury Bond intended to clear outstanding liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

 

Though the Federal Executive Council approved the bond in February 2025, and the National Assembly gave final approval on July 22, implementation remains stalled—leaving many retirees in dire conditions.

 

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the pensioners described their current situation as unbearable, citing hunger, unpaid medical bills, school fees, and deteriorating health. Many urged the Federal Government to immediately implement the bond payment and review monthly pensions to reflect the current harsh economic reality.

 

Hajiya Amina Lawal, a retiree, lamented, “We were excited when the president made the announcement, but we didn’t know the wait would be this long. Some of our colleagues have died waiting. We are too old to keep begging.”

 

Another pensioner, George Ose, shared a heartbreaking account: “My family and I are hungry. I can’t pay school fees or afford healthcare. My landlord is threatening to evict me. I would never have given this country my years of service if I knew this would be the reward.”

 

Joy Adewale, who retired alongside her husband in 2016, revealed how a demolished shop pushed her further into poverty. “We served this country for 35 years. I tried to restart a small business, but banks won’t lend to retirees. No one wants to help us.”

 

Another retiree, Nkiru Offor, whose payments had been regular since 2021, called for a review of pension amounts. She added that accessing healthcare remains a burden since her NHIS coverage was cut off after retirement. “Registering for private coverage costs ₦50,000, and even then, they say my payment hasn’t dropped.”

 

Evans Ubah described the suffering as systemic. “Every year we hear that pension assets have grown, yet we’re not paid. The Constitution says pensions should be reviewed every five years, but who is enforcing that?”

 

The pensioners called on the Tinubu administration to honor its promise, settle the long-standing arrears, and adjust their monthly payments to match the soaring cost of living. Many of them say they only want to survive long enough to enjoy the fruit of their labor.