Retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme in Lagos State have issued Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu an August 31, 2026 deadline to implement the long-awaited pension enhancement and wage award, threatening a major protest if the demands are not met.
The ultimatum was issued by the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme, NUPCPS, following a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Sunkanmi Oyegbola.
The council’s chairman, Michael Omisande, said the union submitted a template to the Lagos State Government in January 2026 for the implementation of the pension enhancement.
According to him, although the Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, informed the union that approval had been given to engage an actuary, no further progress had been made.
“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,” Omisande said.
He said the planned protest had been communicated to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to ensure adequate security for participants.
The meeting was attended by the Director-General of LASPEC, Babalola Obilana, and the commission’s Executive Director of Finance, Muyiwa Oshin.
Obilana reportedly told the pensioners that Governor Sanwo-Olu had summoned him and issued a directive on the matter but did not provide a specific date for implementation.
Also present were leaders of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Defined Benefit Scheme, NUPDBS, Olufemi Olarewaju and Olukayode Bada.
The Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Funmi Sessi, urged LASPEC to expedite action on the matter to prevent a wider confrontation.
Omisande further disclosed that the national leadership of the NUPCPS had backed the Lagos council’s position.
He said traditional and social media platforms would be used to mobilise pensioners ahead of the planned August 31 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.
