RismadarVoice Reporters, August 24, 2026
Retirees under the Federal Government’s pension scheme have given the government 21 days to pay their outstanding N150,000 palliative allowance, threatening to stage a peaceful protest if the payment is not made by September 10, 2026.
The pensioners, under the Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria, made the demand in a letter dated August 21 and addressed to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
The letter, signed by the coalition’s National Chairman, Ogunbote Mukaila, and National Secretary, Gbadamosi Ganiyu, said the ultimatum commenced on August 21 and would expire on September 10.
The retirees said the N150,000 represents six months of the N25,000 monthly palliative approved by the Federal Government for pensioners in 2023 following the removal of the petrol subsidy.
According to the pensioners, workers had received their approved palliative payments, while retirees were yet to receive the equivalent six-month payment.
They appealed to the government to release the funds through the Pension Transitional Arrangements Directorate (PTAD), which maintains records of pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme.
The retirees said the unpaid allowance had become more urgent because of the impact of economic hardship on their livelihoods.
They also referenced the suspension of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, in January 2024 and subsequent investigations into alleged financial impropriety involving the ministry.
The pensioners urged the current administration to resolve the matter and pay the outstanding allowance before the expiration of their ultimatum.
They warned that failure to meet the September 10 deadline would lead to a “peaceful but loud protest.”
The latest demand comes amid a prolonged dispute over the unpaid palliative, which pensioners have repeatedly raised with the Federal Government.
In July 2026, the government announced the payment of N39.63 billion to 24,814 Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners to settle various outstanding pension obligations.
