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,,,,,,,,Commends NUPCPS leadership for the fight for members’ rights
By Correspondent in Ilorin.
For Mustapha O. Lamidi, retirement was meant to be a quieter chapter after decades of public service. Instead, it has become a weary journey marked by repeated office visits to a PFA,unanswered promises, and growing frustration.
Lamidi, a Federal Government pensioner and former Assistant Editor-in-Chief at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), retired in July 2020 upon reaching the mandatory age of 60.
Since retirement, he said has been receiving his monthly pension through Trustfund Pension Plc in Ilorin, Kwara State.
According to him,what should have been a routine process took a troubling turn with the commencement of the Consequential Adjustment allowances and the Presidential Award for pensioners towards the end of 2025.
Lamidi expressed concern that accessing his consequential and wage award entitlements has been a bitter experience.
“I have visited the Trustfund office in Ilorin more than six times. I have complied with all instructions, including data capturing as directed by PENCOM, yet not a kobo has been paid to me the PFA as at January 24,2026 from the N758 billion bond approved by the federal government,” he said.
He described his interactions with officials of the pension fund administrator as a “ding-dong affair,” alleging that pensioners are routinely given shifting explanations.
“On some occasions, Trustfund officials claimed that they have not received the money,  arguing that Trustfund operates differently from other PFAs,” Lamidi narrated.
He said this explanation does not sit well with pensioners who have watched counterparts under other PFAs receive their entitlements.
“When we point out that other PFAs have been paying our colleagues,we are told Trustfund is different. The question then is: why should Trustfund be different when the directive is from the Federal Government?” he asked.
Lamidi wondered why “pensioners should be made to suffer while their money is being stocked somewhere”.
He appealed to Trustfund officials to improve customer relations, especially towards senior citizens who depend on these payments for survival.
In a direct appeal, Lamidi called on PENCOM to intervene decisively.
“I am appealing to PENCOM to look into the issue whereby many CPS pensioners are still waiting for their allowances from Trustfund.
“The PFA should be compelled to release the Consequential Adjustment allowances and Presidential Award without further delay,” he said.
He also urged the pension regulator to take action against PFAs that fail to implement government directives, stressing that the continued slow payment contradicts the policy and compassion of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This suffering of senior citizens who are yet to access their consequential adjustment and wage award is against the clear wishes of President Tinubu. PFAs should be called to order and not allowed to punish Nigerian pensioners any longer,” Lamidi added.
He noted that while he and his fellow pensioners have welcomed the Tinubu administration’s disbursement of the N758 billion bond, as a right thing in the right direction,aimed to make life easy for pensioners in Nigeria,those still waiting for their payments regret that the development has compounded their struggle with rising living costs.
Lamidi said his experience underscores a broader concern, adding that approved benefits mean little if they remain trapped in bureaucratic bottlenecks.
According to him,for many retirees, the wait is no longer just administrative, pointing out it is a test of dignity, patience, and survival.
He, however, praised the leadership of the NUPCPS and other stakeholders for their sustained efforts towards making the N758 billion bond a reality and securing the commencement of the allowance payments.
Edited by Dada Ahmed
