Haruna Abdulrashid
The Federal Government has commenced a fresh review of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) gratuity policy to ensure fairness and justice for all retirees, particularly those affected by transitional gaps in implementation,the pre-2026 retirees.
This was contained in a statement signed by the National Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS), Comrade Sylva Nwaiwu.
He disclosed in a social media broadcast to members of the union across Nigeria and in the diaspora.
Mr Nwaiwu expressed concern over the fate of retirees who exited service between 2004 and December 31, 2025, describing their situation as unjust under the current framework.
“This is an injustice which the union has intervened in, and I am aware that the Federal Government has gone back to the drawing board to ensure that justice is done to everybody,” he said.
He revealed that the union is actively engaging government agencies and non-governmental organisations to secure incentives and investment opportunities exclusively for its members.
He called on members yet to pay their levy, adding that the N10,000 levy is not meant for events alone but to use part of in running the affairs of the union.
Reflecting on the resent conference by NUPCPS, the chairman said the event significantly boosted the union’s visibility both nationally and internationally, while also drawing greater government attention to CPS-related issues.
He added that the conference was used to press state governments yet to fully implement the CPS to key into the scheme, following what he described as the Federal Government’s leadership by example.
Mr Nwaiwu further appealed for the state governments practicing CPS for the prompt payment of retirees under the first-line charge of self-funded organisations, as well as those employed by agencies excluded from the CPS after its introduction, insisting that their continued exclusion amounts to injustice.
He, however, expressed optimism that the concerns raised by the union were receiving attention from relevant authorities.
On the conduct of Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), Nwaiwu decried persistent delays in the payment of pension increments and wage awards to CPS retirees, despite the release of funds by the Federal Government since November 2025.
“We see no justification for PFAs to sit on funds already released for pensioners,” he said.
The union, he disclosed, has issued a 14-working-day ultimatum to PFAs to settle all outstanding payments or face industrial action.
He warned that failure to comply would trigger mass protests by affected retirees nationwide.
Comrade declared that the union will not hesitate to mobilise its members to occupy PFA offices until all entitlements are paid, adding that this is a matter of justice and dignity for senior citizens.
