Lagos pensioners give Sanwo-Olu August 31 ultimatum over pension increase

A clash looms between the Lagos State Government and pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), as retirees have set an August 31 deadline for receiving their overdue pension enhancement and wage award. The Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme (NUPCPS) has threatened the "mother of all protests" if the state government fails to meet their demand.

Michael Omisande, the chairman of the NUPCPS Lagos State Council, disclosed this during a meeting with the Public Service Office's Permanent Secretary, Sunkanmi Oyegbola. The union had previously presented a proposal for implementing the pension enhancement in January 2026, but the process has yet to commence. The Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, informed the union that an actuary would be engaged to facilitate the process, but no specific date for payment has been announced.

Omisande informed the Governor, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the Commissioner of Police about the planned demonstration, ensuring security for the pensioners. The Nigeria Union of Pensioners Defined Benefit Scheme (NUPDBS) leaders, Olufemi Olarewaju and Olukayode Bada, were also present. The Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Funmi Sessi, urged LASPEC to expedite the process to prevent the dispute from escalating further.

The union plans to use traditional and social media platforms to mobilize retirees ahead of the proposed protest.