Pensioners Give FG November 24 Deadline, Threaten Nationwide ‘Naked Protest’ Over Unpaid ₦32,000 Arrears and Palliative

The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria (CFPN) today, Tuesday, November 11, 2025, escalated its demands for outstanding payments from the Federal Government, issuing a final ultimatum of November 24, 2025, and threatening a nationwide “naked protest” should the deadline pass without compliance.

The coalition, representing thousands of retirees, announced the impending demonstration during a press conference in Lagos, expressing deep distress over the continued neglect and hardship faced by Nigeria’s senior citizens.

The National Chairman of the CFPN and Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NIPOST Chapter), Mukaila Ogunbote, identified two critical outstanding payments that have plunged many retirees into severe destitution: the ₦32,000 approved pension increment arrears and the ₦25,000 palliative allowance approved since late 2023.

Injustice Over Palliative Payments

Ogunbote lamented the perceived injustice in the government’s distribution of the palliative funds. He stated that while the President had approved a ₦35,000 palliative for workers and a separate ₦25,000 for pensioners, the workers received their payments within one month of the approval. However, the more vulnerable pensioners are yet to receive the smaller sum, more than a year later.

“Many pensioners have died, and many more are dying due to hardship, as they are unable to feed well or access proper medical treatment when ill,” Ogunbote lamented. “We are the most vulnerable segment of the population, yet we are being denied what was duly approved for us.”

Ogunbote confirmed the coalition’s resolve: “If by November 23, we do not receive payment of both the palliative and the ₦32,000 arrears, all pensioners nationwide will embark on a naked protest on November 24.” He noted that the symbolic protest would be joined by pensioners in the diaspora, making it a worldwide expression of their grievances.

The CFPN leader appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and direct the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to release the approved funds, stressing the need for the retirees to receive their entitlements before the December Christmas celebration.