Pensioners praise Tinubu reforms as union commends pension gains and urges further support for retirees’ welfare

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abumisi, on Sunday in Abuja congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 74th birthday, commending recent pension reforms while urging further action to improve retirees’ welfare nationwide.

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In a statement marking the occasion, Abumisi said pensioners across the country were celebrating both the President’s milestone and what he described as purposeful leadership, highlighting the impact of policies under the Pensioners praise Tinubu reforms narrative.

He noted that interventions by the administration have begun to address longstanding challenges in the pension system, particularly delays in payments and the accumulation of arrears.

“Pensioners across the country proudly join millions of Nigerians in celebrating you today, particularly in recognition of your administration’s deliberate and impactful interventions,” Abumisi said.

The union described the approval of a ₦32,000 monthly pension increase as a bold and compassionate step, offering relief to retirees grappling with rising living costs.

Abumisi also cited the Federal Government’s approval of about ₦700bn to clear liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme and ₦57bn for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme as a landmark intervention.

“These measures are addressing the backlog of accrued rights owed to retirees who endured years of hardship after service,” he added.

Nigeria’s pension system, which operates a dual structure combining contributory and defined benefit models, has faced persistent implementation challenges, including funding gaps and delayed remittances.

The union further commended the government for clearing arrears and improving consistency in monthly pension payments, describing the effort as evidence of responsive governance.

A secondary highlight in the statement was the approval for the payment of gratuities to retired workers, a long-awaited development welcomed by many pensioners.

Despite the praise, Abumisi urged the Federal Government to ensure that state governments implement approved pension increases so that retirees at the subnational level are not left behind.

He also called for the swift rollout of a health insurance scheme for pensioners, describing it as essential to improving access to healthcare and overall quality of life.

The Pensioners praise Tinubu reforms sentiment reflects cautious optimism among retirees, even as stakeholders continue to press for deeper structural improvements.

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Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, has prioritised economic reforms, including fiscal restructuring measures that supporters argue are necessary for long-term stability, though they have placed short-term pressure on vulnerable groups such as pensioners.