The General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo, has raised serious concerns over what he described as a disturbing surge in deaths among Nigerian pensioners, attributing the trend to systemic failure, poor welfare policies, and prolonged government neglect.
Olowoyo, who also serves as National General Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, warned that nearly half of public servants shortly after retirement, describing the situation as both tragic and preventable. According to him, retirement in Nigeria has become a period defined by hardship, uncertainty, and declining health rather than rest and dignity.
He noted that many retirees, after dedicating their most productive years to national service, are left to grapple with unpaid pensions, delayed gratuities, and rising living costs. In extreme cases, some pensioners reportedly survive on as little as N3000 per month, an amount widely considered insufficient for basic needs.
Olowoyo also criticized the poor implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, introduced in 2004 and strengthened by the Pension Reform Act 2014. He said many employers, including some state governments and private sector operators, fail to remit pension contributions, undermining the system’s effectiveness.
Beyond financial struggles, he highlighted the psychological burden faced by retirees, including stressful verification processes, long travel distances to access entitlements, and uncertainty over payments. He added that insensitive remarks by some public officials further deepen pensioners’ sense of neglect and erode trust in government institutions.
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners has echoed similar concerns, pointing to inflation and rising fuel prices as key factors worsening the plight of retirees nationwide.
While acknowledging recent government interventions such as pension bond approvals and incremental increases in benefits, Olowoyo insisted that more decisive action is needed. He called for strict enforcement of pension laws, timely payment of entitlements, expanded healthcare coverage, and the introduction of social welfare programmes for the elderly.
He urged labour groups, civil society, and government agencies to act urgently, warning that continued inaction could lead to further loss of lives. According to him, how a nation treats its retirees reflects its values and commitment to justice.
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