Rivers State – The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers, Alex Agwanwor, called for the immediate termination of the state’s contributory pension scheme during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebrations in Port Harcourt.
Agwanwor argued that the scheme lacks transparency in its operational guidelines and that the government has not met its co‑funding obligations. He also highlighted the failure to establish a functional pensions board and to enrol retirees, noting that the scheme has not protected the interests of Rivers workers.
“The scheme should be terminated and reverted to the traditionally defined benefit model,” Agwanwor said. He urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resolve the exclusion of certain local‑government employees from the verification portal, an issue that has led to the suspension of their monthly salaries.
In addition, the NLC leader appealed for the swift domestication of the Federal Government’s revised peculiar service allowances, describing the measure as a buffer against the current economic challenges confronting workers.
While criticizing the pension arrangement, Agwanwor praised the Fubara administration for its commitment to infrastructure development and worker welfare. He affirmed that Rivers workers will continue to support government policies and programmes.
The call for revoking the contributory pension scheme adds to ongoing debates about pension reform in Nigeria, where several states have adopted contributory models in recent years. Stakeholders are expected to discuss the proposal in forthcoming meetings between labour unions, the state government, and relevant regulatory bodies.
