NPA Pensioners Protest 16-Year Benefit Delay, Demand Immediate Review

Pensioners under the Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners and Welfare Association (NPAPWA) on Monday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority in Marina, Lagos, over the prolonged delay in the review of their pensions under the new pension scheme.

The retirees gathered at the NPA headquarters carrying placards with various inscriptions, directing their demands at President Bola Tinubu and the NPA management over what they described as years of neglect and unaddressed welfare concerns.

Some of the placards read, “Nigeria Port Authority is owing its pensioners 16 years’ constitutional benefits,” and “NPA pensioners are dying daily; we need your intervention,” while others highlighted dissatisfaction with the low monthly pension payments received by retirees.

During the protest, emotions ran high as a 69-year-old female pensioner was seen in tears, while other retirees lamented worsening economic hardship, poor healthcare access and inadequate welfare support.

Speaking on behalf of the association, NPAPWA President Charles Binitie said the group had previously suspended planned protests after receiving assurances that their concerns would be addressed, but said no meaningful action had followed.

He stressed the importance of dialogue, insisting that pensioners had been excluded from decisions affecting their welfare.

“You cannot work on our behalf in silence,” Binitie said, accusing the authority of failing to engage retirees meaningfully.

He further alleged that pension benefits had remained stagnant for about 16 years despite salary adjustments for serving staff within the same period, describing the situation as unfair and unjust.

According to him, many pensioners still receive as little as N30,000 monthly, a figure he said is insufficient amid rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, with some retirees reportedly struggling with illness, homelessness and hunger.

The association warned that the protest could escalate into nationwide action if their demands were not met before mid-June, with coordinated demonstrations planned across Lagos, Warri, Calabar and Port Harcourt.