By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
As anticipation grows over the planned disbursement of 100 per cent pension arrears owed to retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) from 2007 to 2024, members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme (NUPCPS) have expressed excitement and renewed hope.
They have, however, passionately appealed to the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to credit their personal bank accounts directly instead of routing the funds through Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
One of the retirees, Mr. Glory Ekaete, made the appeal on the union’s social media platform on Sunday, urging PenCom to consider making a bulk payment of the entire arrears directly to retirees on compassionate grounds.
Ekaete said the plea became necessary because the delayed arrears had caused severe hardship to retirees, many of whom had endured physical and emotional suffering due to the long wait.
“The payment will help ease the financial burden on retirees, most of whom face growing expenses due to aging. “Considering the depreciation of the naira over the years, paying the arrears in full will help us recover some of the losses caused by inflation,”he said.
He expressed optimism that PenCom would give favourable consideration to the appeal, given the unique circumstances of the affected retirees.
Similarly, another member, Mr. Emmanuel Anaza, backed the call, stressing that many elderly pensioners urgently need the money to tackle pressing financial and health challenges.
“No one can predict death, especially at old age. Paying this money en bloc into our accounts will help address urgent needs and bring relief to pensioners who have endured years of neglect,” Anaza said.
He urged PenCom to act swiftly in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to ease the pains and sufferings of pensioners, commending the President for his compassion and quick intervention on the matter.
“We thank God for giving the President a heart of gold to recognise our plight and act. “Our rights had been denied for years under various administrations, but we are hopeful this time will be different,” Anaza added.
The retirees also appreciated their leadership, led by Comrade Sylva Nwaiwu,all individuals and groups who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the long-awaited settlement of the arrears getting to a reality.
As days and weeks get closer to the time that retirees under the contributory pension scheme CPS will receive their 100 per cent arrears dating back to 2007 to 2024, members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme,NUPCPS, have sent passionate appeal to the management of PENCOM to pay the money directly to their personal account and not pension fund administrators,PFAs.
One of the pensioners concerned,Mr.Glory Ekaete, who added his voice to the pull of advice on the issue via the social platform of the union on Sunday urged the commission to pay bulk payment of 100% pension arrears to the individual Pensioner’s bank accounts on compassionate grounds.
He said that he advice became imperative in view of the fact that the arrears are long overdue,retirees have suffered untold hardships, both physical and mental due to delay
He added that the payment will ameliorate the financial burden suffered by retirees, many of whom he noted have increased financial commitments due to aging, pointing out that the Naira has depreciated over the years, arguing that paying the entire increment value of the increment in lump sum will enable retirees reduce ‘losses’ occasioned by this depreciation.
“With the above and other relevant factors adduced, I am of the view that PENCOM may favourably assent to our plea,”he said.
Contributing, Mr.Emmanuel Anaza, argued that due to very old age, some retirees who are still alive, require the money paid en-bloc into their account to solve biting and immediate problems.
“No one can predict death but it may happen at anytime especially when one is highly aged. So payment of this bulk arears will go a long way to alleviate pensioners’ persisting, financially left vacuum in their lives.
” Let these payments be effected without further delay, since the president has recognised the pains and suffering of pensioners, spanning over the years, and quickly gave intervention to alleviate their sufferings.It would be very wise to adopt, relevant protocols, to fast- track the process of payment without delay.
” All thanks to God who gave the president the heart of gold to quickly intervene through this process. Our rights had been denied over the years through various terms of democratic administrations of this country.
“It is our pleasure too to recognise the teams and links who formed synergy for this move to come to pass. We blessed them, we thank them,” he said.
Contributing,Mr.Benedict argued that the contract between retirees and the annuitant,the insurance firm, ended with a lump sum that was transferred to by individuals PFA.
He said:”Pension increment was not part of the contract with them.I know Insurance companies will be lobbing Pen com and PFA’s to transfer funds of those under annuity to them to make nonsense of the money.
“That is not acceptable because , it is not mandatory.Who ever that will be holding any conference with Pencom, few days to come, should be mindful of this.”
Meanwhile, the union has selected 30 of its members to participate in PENCOM Customer Service Week, scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Review Hotel (Royale), Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja.
Members are optimistic that the union will leverage the occasion to present their plea to the commission for possible acceptance.
