The President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Godwin Abumisi, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he described as unprecedented support for retired workers.
The commendation came after the Federal Government cleared N39.6 billion pension arrears under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).
The pension arrears payment has become one of the latest efforts by the Federal Government to address long-standing concerns over pension welfare.
Speaking during an interview on News at 10, the NUP president said pensioners have witnessed a major improvement in their welfare since President Tinubu assumed office.
He noted that regular pension payments have continued, while outstanding arrears have also been settled.
“We are very happy with the present government. No president in Nigeria has achieved as much as His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu. No other president has achieved as much as he has done,” Abumisi said.
According to him, the administration has provided significant funding to clear pension obligations across different schemes.
He explained that the government released billions of naira to settle outstanding payments owed to pensioners under both the Contributory Pension Scheme and the Defined Benefit Scheme.
Highlighting the interventions, he stated:
“He has paid 10.6% arrears of pension increase amounting to N39.6 billion. He also made available the sum of N758 billion for arrears of pension and gratuity for PENCOM. He provided the sum of N58 billion for the payment of arrears of pension of those on DBS, the Defined Benefit Scheme.”
Furthermore, Abumisi described the government’s decision to implement the 10 percent pension increase as another major milestone for retired workers.
According to him:
“No President has ever been kind to pensioners like Pres. Tinubu. He didn’t just pay our arrears (of ages), he also paid the 10% increase on our pensions.”
The NUP president added that the steady payment of monthly pensions has restored confidence among many elderly Nigerians. He explained that pensioners no longer experience many of the delays and uncertainties that previously affected them.
In addition, he praised the administration for placing the welfare of senior citizens high on its agenda. He said retirees now enjoy greater financial stability because their pensions are being paid consistently.
Abumisi said:
“This government is very much committed to the welfare of elderly citizens in Nigeria. Since he took over, Nigerian pensioners and elderly people have been paid their pensions regularly. We do not have any more problems as we usually do.”
The union leader also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government on behalf of pensioners nationwide. He said the recent interventions have brought relief to thousands of retirees who depended on their pensions for daily living.
Meanwhile, he urged pensioners across the country to continue supporting the current administration. According to him, the government deserves recognition for addressing issues that had remained unresolved for several years.
He concluded by saying:
“We should be loyal to this government because no other government has done as much as he has done. We should make it possible for him to return back to his position by supporting his bid to come back.”
As pension reforms continue, stakeholders are expected to monitor future government actions aimed at improving the welfare of retired workers.
