By Victor Ahiuma-Young
A major confrontation is looming between Lagos State Government and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, as pensioners have issued Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu an August 31 ultimatum to pay their long-awaited apension enhancement and wage award or face what they described as the “mother of all protests.”
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The ultimatum was announced by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme, NUPCPS, Lagos State Council, Michael Omisande, after a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Sunkanmi Oyegbola.
According to Omisande, the union had in January 2026 submitted a template to the Lagos State Government for the implementation of the pension enhancement. Although the Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, informed the union that approval had been granted to engage an actuary, he said no further action had been taken.
“We have communicated a 19-day ultimatum to Mr. Governor to credit the accounts of pensioners on the pension increases/wage award, or face protest action tentatively fixed for August 31, 2026,” he said.
Omisande disclosed that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police had been notified of the planned protest to ensure adequate security for participants.
The meeting was attended by the Director-General of LASPEC, Babalola Obilana, and the Commission’s Executive Director, Finance, Muyiwa Oshin. During the discussions, Obilana informed the pensioners that Governor Sanwo-Olu had summoned him and issued a directive on the matter but did not indicate when the payment would be implemented.
Also present were leaders of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Defined Benefit Scheme, NUPDBS, Olufemi Olarewaju and Olukayode Bada, while the Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Funmi Sessi, urged LASPEC to expedite action to avert an industrial confrontation.
Omisande further revealed that the national leadership of the NUPCPS had thrown its weight behind the Lagos council’s position, adding that both traditional and social media platforms would be deployed to mobilise pensioners ahead of the planned protest.
“It is a sacrifice we must render for our financial emancipation. I strongly believe that the money can be paid if the government really wants to pay within the time frame,” he said.
Also speaking at the meeting, Lagos NLC Chairman, appealed to the state government to act swiftly and resolve the issue before it escalates.
She urged the authorities to fast-track the payment process to avoid a confrontation with retirees.
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