By Joyce Ekeh
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, has commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the payment of N18 billion in outstanding severance benefits to 2,700 former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways, describing the intervention as long-awaited relief for beneficiaries who have waited more than two decades for their entitlements.
The union, however, renewed its call for the payment of the three-month, N25,000 monthly palliative approved for pensioners following the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023.
In a statement by its National President, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, the NUP said it was pleased that its repeated appeals to the President over the outstanding entitlements of former Nigeria Airways workers had received attention.
According to the union, it had raised the issue through press statements, open letters to the President and other engagements with relevant authorities, urging the Federal Government to provide relief to the affected former workers.
The NUP described the payment as “justice delayed but finally delivered” to former workers who devoted their productive years to the country.
It said many of the beneficiaries had faced difficulties meeting medical bills, feeding and family responsibilities while some died without receiving their entitlements.
The union commended Tinubu, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, the Federal Ministry of Finance and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, involved in the verification, processing and commencement of the payments.
It also acknowledged the efforts of the Presidential Initiative and Continuous Audit, PICA, in facilitating the payment process.
The NUP, however, urged the government to ensure that the exercise was completed smoothly and transparently, particularly through the proposed mop-up verification to capture genuine beneficiaries whose cases remained unresolved.
It said the verification should also address cases involving incorrect banking details and deceased beneficiaries, whose legitimate entitlements should, subject to due verification and legal processes, be paid to their next of kin or lawful estates.
“The NUP appeals to President Tinubu: please finish what you have started. Let every genuine beneficiary be captured and paid,” Abumisi stated.
The union also commended the President for the commencement of payment of Additional Exit Benefits to retirees of Treasury-funded MDAs under the Federal Government Exit Benefit Scheme, EBS.
It said N1.1 billion was being paid to 175 retirees who exited the Federal Public Service between January 1 and August 31, 2026, describing the development as another positive step towards addressing the retirement needs of former public servants.
However, the NUP said pensioners were still awaiting the three-month N25,000 monthly palliative approved following the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023.
It expressed concern that three years after the approval, affected pensioners had yet to receive the payment, despite the economic pressures facing many elderly Nigerians.
The union appealed to Tinubu to direct the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to facilitate payment of the outstanding palliative.
It urged the ministry to, “as a matter of responsibility,” use its powers and mandate to ensure that the promised relief reached the affected pensioners.
The NUP also called for sustained government attention to outstanding pension arrears, gratuities and other retirement benefits owed at the federal level.
It further appealed for intervention in the plight of state and local government pensioners who, according to the union, remained unpaid for months or years in some cases.
The union stressed that pensioners continued to face basic needs, including food, rent and medical expenses, after decades of service, with some relying on children, relatives, friends and neighbours for survival.
“Pension is not charity. Gratuity is not a favour. Retirement benefits are legitimate entitlements earned through years of service,” the union stated.
The NUP expressed appreciation for the intervention on beha
