Oyo pensioners hail Makinde for improved pensions

Pensioners from all geopolitical zones of Oyo State on Thursday converged on the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, in their hundreds to express gratitude to the state governor for improving their welfare through the recent pension review.

The pensioners, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Council, stated that the review has made Oyo State pensioners the highest-paid state pensioners in the federation.

Similarly, the NUP South-West Zonal Council also lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for the review, which led to the payment of N25,000 as a minimum pension to the least-paid pensioner, the incorporation of the 33 per cent pension increase of 2010, the consequential adjustment of the 2019, a 20 per cent pension increase, and part of the N32,000 minimum wage across the board for Oyo State pensioners.

In a letter dated 12 February 2025 and signed by its chairman, Comrade Waidi Oloyede, and secretary, Comrade Sunday Akin, the South-West NUP expressed its gratitude to the governor.

These statements were contained in a press release issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Oyo State Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Speaking at the appreciation rally, the Secretary of the NUP, Oyo State Council, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, in a speech titled “Resurrected Pensioners in Oyo State Appreciate Engr. Seyi Makinde,” praised the governor for improving the welfare of pensioners.

He noted that the governor had started on a positive note upon assuming office in 2019 by paying gratuities that had been withheld for eight years, ensuring pensions were paid on the 25th of every month, and implementing the latest pension review after repeated appeals to previous administrations had failed.

He said: “For 16 years before you assumed office, pensioners in Oyo State had no government that was sympathetic to their plight. Gratuities were not paid as and when due, pensions were withheld or paid in instalments, and all appeals to previous administrations were ignored, leading to widespread deaths among our members.

“At one point, Oyo State pensioners were referred to as ‘dead people’, and indeed, we were dying like fowls afflicted by Newcastle disease. When you contested for your first term, we sought liberation and voted en masse for you. We did the same for your second term, and you have not disappointed us.

“Our pensions became regular; you resumed the payment of gratuities that had been unlawfully withheld for eight years. Previous administrations had completely ignored the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandated pension increases. As a result, some of our members were earning as little as N350 to N1,000 as monthly pensions. All our appeals were disregarded.

“The only minor pension review we had was 18 years ago, with pension increases from 2007 to 2019 dismissed by past governors. When you became governor, our union intensified its campaign for pension adjustments. You took time to consult widely on how to review the stagnant pensions. Because we know you are compassionate, our letter to you struck a chord, leading to your approval that the least-paid pensioners in Oyo State should now earn N25,000 per month.

“You did not stop there; you also directed that all pension increases since 2007 be factored into the pensions of affected retirees, resulting in an unprecedented increase. This is the first of its kind in Oyo State and across the federation.”

In response, Governor Makinde, represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of pensioners and enhancing their standard of living.

He commended the pensioners and their leadership for expressing gratitude, stating that his government prioritises the welfare of pensioners, who dedicated 35 years of their lives to the development of the state.

He noted that in 2019, gratuities and pension arrears owed by past administrations amounted to about N61 billion. However, his government had significantly reduced the debt and was committed to clearing it before the end of his second tenure in May 2027.

He said: “What happened this morning was quite unprecedented. In my experience, pensioners have never come forward to express appreciation to any government.

“This demonstration of gratitude is a testament to what this administration has done in improving the welfare of pensioners in Oyo State.

“Comrade Abatan mentioned that some pensioners were previously earning between N350 and N1,000 and that the last pension review was during the tenure of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala. Since then, there have been no improvements until now.

“Our administration assessed the socio-economic conditions and determined what would constitute a living pension for our pensioners. We then implemented a fair and sustainable pension structure.

“In response, the pensioners felt the need to show appreciation, and their action today serves as encouragement for the government to continue looking into other areas for improvement.”

Among those present at the appreciation rally were the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Hon. Segun Olayiwola; and Chairman, Local Government Pensions Board, Hon. Ademola Ige.

Others included the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo; Special Adviser on Establishment and Training, Alhaji Siju Lawal; and the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Pensions Board, Alhaji H.A. Bello.