A protest by Lagos State pensioners demanding the payment of outstanding arrears and other retirement benefits turned tense on Monday after security personnel reportedly fired tear gas at retirees gathered at the Lagos State Government House in Alausa, Ikeja.
The protesters, made up of members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme, had assembled at the government secretariat to press their demands for regular pension payments, settlement of outstanding arrears and implementation of approved pension increases.
The demonstration followed an August 31 deadline earlier issued by the pensioners to the Lagos State Government to address what they described as persistent problems in the administration and payment of their pensions.
For months, the retirees have raised concerns over delayed and irregular payments, accumulated arrears, unpaid wage awards and the failure to implement pension adjustments they say have already been approved.
Monday’s demonstration was the latest in a series of efforts by the pensioners to get the attention of the state authorities. Their leaders had previously warned that they would mobilise at Alausa if the government failed to respond to their demands.
Pensioners Demand Outstanding Benefits
The retirees said their grievances go beyond delayed pension payments.
They are demanding the settlement of outstanding pension arrears, implementation of pension increases and wage awards, payment of other accrued retirement benefits and a more dependable pension payment system.
Some pensioners have reportedly claimed that their outstanding payments stretch back several years, with some arrears dating as far back as 2007.
The protesters also expressed frustration over what they described as delays in implementing pension adjustments that followed increases at the federal level.
With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on households, the retirees said the delay had become increasingly difficult to endure.
For many of them, the issue is also about dignity after decades of public service.
They argued that their pensions and retirement benefits are not acts of government generosity but entitlements earned through years of work.
Protest Turns Tense at Alausa
The demonstration reportedly remained peaceful for several hours before the situation escalated as security personnel moved to disperse the pensioners.
Tear gas was reportedly fired at the protesters, forcing some of the elderly demonstrators to scramble for safety.
A woman was also reportedly assisted after fainting during the incident.
The development angered the pensioners, who questioned why a demonstration focused on their welfare had been met with force.
The confrontation also drew attention to the difficult position of workers approaching retirement, with some protesters pointing out that members of the security agencies deployed to the scene would themselves eventually become retirees.
In a striking development during the incident, one of the policemen was reportedly also affected by the tear gas.
‘We Are Not Begging’
The pensioners maintained that they were not asking the Lagos State Government for favours.
They said they simply wanted the benefits they had earned after spending decades in public service.
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme, had previously accused the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Pension Commission of delaying pension adjustments despite assurances that the state would follow federal action on pension increases.
The pensioners have also complained about perceived disparities in the treatment of different categories of retirees.
LASPEC Gives Account of Payments
The Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), however, has maintained that the state government has made substantial financial commitments to the welfare of retirees.
According to LASPEC, the Lagos State Government has paid N168.2 billion to more than 48,000 retirees since 2007.
The commission said about N92 billion of that amount represented accrued rights paid to more than 25,000 retirees since May 2019.
LASPEC has also highlighted reforms introduced to strengthen the state’s contributory pension system.
Despite those figures, the pensioners maintain that significant outstanding issues remain unresolved, particularly concerning arrears and delayed adjustments.
Growing Trust Deficit
The confrontation at Alausa has brought renewed attention to the long-running dispute between Lagos pensioners and the institutions responsible for their retirement benefits.
For retirees who spent their working lives serving the state, the events of Monday have deepened concerns about how their welfare is being handled after retirement.
The Lagos State Government now faces renewed calls to engage directly with the pensioners, clarify the status of disputed arrears and provide a transparent timetable for resolving outstanding payment issues.
For the retirees, their position remains straightforward: they are not seeking charity.
They want the pensions and benefits they believe they earned through decades of service to Lagos State.
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