I became executive beggar despite serving Lagos for 30 years – Ex-administrator

Michael Odesanya, a retired Head of Administration and Human Resources at Kosofe Local Government in Lagos State, shares his story of becoming an "executive beggar" after serving for 30 years. Born in 1966, Odesanya joined the Lagos State Civil Service in 1996 and retired in 2026. Despite being married and having four children, his life took a turn for the worse following his retirement.

Initially, Odesanya felt appreciated during his retirement ceremony, which coincided with his 60th birthday. However, he soon discovered that the promise of official vehicles for retiring senior officers, including himself, was not fulfilled. This disappointment marked the beginning of his struggle to receive his retirement benefits.

Odesanya's disability, caused by polio at the age of two and a half, presented significant challenges during his career. Public buildings were not designed with accessibility in mind, making it difficult for him to navigate daily tasks. However, he received humane treatment from various local government chairmen who ensured he had trained aides to assist him.

After leaving service, Odesanya faced further complications when his retirement file was returned unprocessed. He was instructed to provide fresh Pension Fund Administrator statements and bank statements, despite already submitting all relevant records. This led him to believe that the appointment of new commissioners and the departure of experienced officials might have played a role in the delay.

Odesanya's lack of gratuity has made life extremely difficult for him. Although the Chairman of Kosofe Local Government provided some cash gifts, it has not been enough to improve his situation significantly. Odesanya's story highlights the struggles faced by physically challenged individuals in the public sector, as well as the need for improved retirement benefits and infrastructure within government offices.