Northern Pensioners Raise Alarm as Only Four States Comply with ₦32,000 Minimum Pension Directive
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

The Northern Forum of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has revealed that only four out of 19 northern states currently pay the federally mandated minimum monthly pension of ₦32,000. This disclosure came during the forum’s zonal meeting held in Kaduna State, highlighting the plight of elderly citizens who dedicated decades of service to the nation.

NUP Chairman, Comrade Mohammed Sali, described the situation as “deeply unfair,” emphasising that many states continue to pay pensions as low as ₦3,000, ₦4,000, or ₦5,000. “Only four states now are paying this minimum of ₦32,000 out of 19. Many states are still paying as little as ₦3,000, ₦4,000, or ₦5,000, which is very wrong,” he said.

Comrade Sali assured that the forum would pursue dialogue over confrontation, stressing the respect owed to the elderly. “We are not confronting any state. Confrontation is beyond our age. We are your fathers; do you want to see your fathers running on the street from tear gas? We will go from one state to another in dialogue,” he explained.

Notably, Adamawa State is on the verge of implementing the ₦32,000 minimum pension, with a technical committee already concluding its work, pending the governor’s approval, Sali added.

The forum’s Secretary, Alhassan Balarabe Musa, criticised the stark contrast between politicians’ benefits and pensioners’ allowances. “If a politician, after just four or eight years, receives huge benefits, what of the pensioner who served for 35 years or more? Some states like Taraba pay ₦3,000, Katsina ₦5,000, Zamfara the same. It is very unfortunate,” Musa lamented.

Kaduna State stands out in the Northwest, paying ₦30,000 monthly pension, but the forum urged Governor Uba Sani to adjust this to ₦32,000 in accordance with federal guidelines.

The Northern Forum of NUP has vowed to intensify consultations to ensure all states in the region comply with the ₦32,000 minimum pension standard.

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