Ogun State Retirees Protest Contributory Pension Scheme, Seek Postponement
A group of retirees from the Ogun State civil and public service staged a protest at the governor’s office in Abeokuta, calling for a postponement of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). The retirees, who are members of the Association of New Ogun State Civil and Public Service Retirees, claimed that the scheme has left them unprepared and vulnerable to severe hardship.
According to the protesters, the amount of money they receive under the CPS is insufficient to cater for their basic needs. Speaking on behalf of the group, Omopariola Oluwole stated that they had planned their retirement around the Defined Benefit Scheme, not the CPS. He noted that the sudden policy shift has caused them shame, ridicule, and emotional trauma, as they are unable to meet their basic obligations.
The retirees, who retired on July 2, 2025, or later, are seeking a postponement of the CPS until all necessary indices are in place. They argued that the amount of money deposited into their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) is not what they expected, with some having less than N11 million, which is insufficient to rely on. Oluwole cited an example of a retiree who previously earned N400,000 per month but now receives only N50,000, which is inadequate in the current economic climate.
Although the policy was initiated in 2008, the retirees are calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun to have mercy on them and shift the implementation of the CPS. They are seeking a return to the Defined Benefit Scheme, which would provide them with a monthly pension and gratuity. The Permanent Secretary of the Ogun Bureau of Pensions, Mrs. Arinola Adetayo, addressed the protesters, promising that the governor would attend to their demands. She assured them that the issue of CPS would be addressed and that their messages would be relayed to the head of service.
The protest highlights the challenges faced by retirees in Nigeria’s pension system, particularly with the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme. The scheme, which was designed to provide a more sustainable and efficient pension system, has been met with resistance from some retirees who feel that it does not provide adequate benefits. The Ogun State government’s response to the protesters’ demands will be closely watched, as it may set a precedent for other states in Nigeria.
