A Nigerian retiree and pension advocate, Elder Sebastian Julius Ebhoriaze Ebhohon, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, the National Assembly and labour leaders to urgently address what he described as the growing hardship faced by pensioners across the country due to unpaid gratuities, stagnant pensions and rising living costs.
In an open letter addressed to the President, governors, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ebhohon lamented that thousands of retired public servants who dedicated more than three decades of service to the nation are now struggling to survive amid economic challenges and government neglect.
According to him, many retirees are forced to wait between 12 and 15 years after leaving service before receiving their gratuities, despite constitutional provisions and the Pension Reform Act guaranteeing pension rights and timely payment of benefits.
He noted that the prolonged delay has pushed many elderly citizens into poverty and dependency, while some die before accessing their entitlements.
“The reality for thousands of pensioners contradicts the constitutional guarantee that pension rights shall not be withheld,” he said.
Ebhohon stressed that the Pension Reform Act 2014 provides that gratuities should be paid within three months of retirement, but alleged that several state governments have continued to default on their obligations.
To address the problem, he called on the Federal Government to direct the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to publish quarterly lists of retirees owed gratuities and sanction agencies responsible for payment delays.
The pension advocate also highlighted the devastating impact of inflation on retirees, saying the rising cost of food, healthcare and transportation has significantly reduced the purchasing power of pensioners.
He observed that many retirees battling age-related ailments such as hypertension, diabetes and arthritis are unable to afford medications, forcing some to skip treatment due to financial difficulties.
According to him, a pensioner who received ₦30,000 monthly in 2015 would now require about ₦120,000 to maintain the same standard of living and meet healthcare needs.
Ebhohon therefore urged the government to establish a Health Subsidy Fund for pensioners and expand health insurance coverage to include free medications and annual medical check-ups for retirees aged 65 and above.
He further decried the failure to review pension rates in line with economic realities, noting that many retirees continue to receive pensions fixed more than a decade ago despite soaring inflation.
He cited the example of some retired directors who earned monthly pensions of about ₦80,000 in 2010 and still receive the same amount in 2026.
As part of broader reforms, Ebhohon called on the National Assembly to enact a Pension Indexation Law that would ensure pensions are automatically reviewed every three years based on inflation levels and adjustments to the national minimum wage.
He pointed out that countries including Ghana, South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada operate pension indexation systems designed to shield retirees from inflation-induced losses.
The retiree also proposed the creation of a special intervention fund to clear gratuity arrears accumulated between 2010 and 2026 within an 18-month period.
In addition, he urged anti-corruption agencies to investigate and prosecute officials found responsible for deliberately withholding pension and gratuity payments.
Ebhohon maintained that pensioners should not be treated as charity cases but as citizens entitled to benefits earned through years of dedicated public service.
“Pensioners are not beggars. They are creditors. Government borrowed their youthful energy for 35 years. It is time to pay the debt with honour,” he stated.
He warned that continued neglect of retirees could discourage younger Nigerians from pursuing careers in the public service, with negative implications for national development and patriotism.
The pension advocate appealed to President Tinubu, governors and lawmakers to demonstrate political will and compassion by implementing reforms that would restore dignity, financial security and quality healthcare to pensioners nationwide.
“These men and women deserve respect, care and protection. The way a nation treats its elderly citizens reflects its values and humanity,” he added.
