A scene described as embarrassing and unbecoming of a government unraveled today in Abuja as pensioners barricaded streets, especially the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance, to express their frustration over delayed pension payments.
The protest, spearheaded by the National Union of Contributory Pensioners, focused on unpaid accrued rights—benefits earned under the old pension scheme before the 2004 transition to the Contributory Pension Scheme.
These entitlements are meant to be transferred to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to allow retirees access upon retirement.
However, some pensioners who retired as far back as 2003 claim they have yet to receive their due, leaving them unable to secure funds through the Pension Administration System.
The pensioners are calling on the federal government to resolve the backlog swiftly.
