By Uzo Ugwunze
The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has appealed to South East Governors to ensure Harmonization of Pension and implementation of New minimum pension of 32,000 naira which will be officially announced by the end of May, 2026.
The plea was made during the NUP South East Zonal Meeting which held on Friday, May 15, 2026 at Peackastel Royal Suites& Hotels Ltd, Awka, Anambra State.
In his welcome address, Chairman of NUP South East Zone/NUP Chairman Anambra State Comrade Anthony Ugozor appealed to South East Governors to prioritize the interests, benefits and welfare of Pensioners in their respective states saying that Senior Citizens utilized their youthful and active lifespans in service of their fatherland.
There is need for harmonization, people of the same Grade level who served the same government at various periods should be getting the same pension amount unlike what is obtaineable presently where people of the same grade level who retired at different periods are receiving different pension yet we all are living in the same economy.
For instance, people who served the same government, assuming someone served and retired at grade level 12 in 2020 and is being paid #15,000, another person who retired at same grade level 12 in 2025 and is being paid #25,000.It should not continue like that.
We want government to harmonize the pension so that people who retired of the same grade level should be at per with their counterparts irrespective of the year that person retired.
Moreso, concerning the New minimum pension of #32,000 which has been approved by the Federal Government waiting to be announced by end of May 2026, we are appealing to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his counterparts in other SE states to implement it as soon the announcement is made.
“However, it is interesting to remark that one of the pleasant developments of Mr Solution Governor’s administration is that ‘Oluatuegwu’ has successfully liquidated the four (4) years areas of gratuities of both State and Local Government Pensioners 2017 – 2020 amounting to #22 billion which he inherited from his predecessor, His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano.
“I therefore urge the other South East Governors to emulate Prof. Charles Soludo in doing the same for the betterment of lives of Pensioners in their various states. All retirees under Soludo’s watch are paid their gratuities immediately they retire. Pensioners also received their pension simultaneously as government workers receive their salaries before month end,” Ugozor said.
Comrade Ugozor further reminded Governor Soludo that the 11 months arrears of monthly pension owed some primary school Pensioners of 2002/2003 during the administration of His Excellency Chinwoke Mbadinuju was still unpaid.
” Some of the beneficiaries of this money amounting to #490,184,626.58 are late. The money is domiciled in the Local Government Pension Board as it was remitted by the Federal Government as Anambra State Federal Share in years 2002/2003,”Ugozor stated.
Declaring the conference open, the Chief Guest of honour, Head of Service Comrade Barr. Mrs Ngozi Iwuno urged the Pensioners to embrace peace of mind to enable them enjoy a retirement void of strife, rancor, crises and unending agitations.
Barr Mrs Iwuno assured NUP that the Government of Anambra State under the leadership of Governor Soludo remains committed to the welfare of pensioners and retirees.
“The administration recognizes that the dignity and wellbeing of pensioners must never be neglected. Efforts have continued towards improving the welfare of retirees through prompt attention to pension-related matters and policies aimed at enhancing their living conditions.
“Pensioners remain an important pillar of our society. Your years of sacrifice, dedication, integrity and institutional memory contributed immensely to the growth and development of our various States and the nation at large. Even in retirement, your wisdom and counsel continue to guide the younger generation in public service and society,” said Mrs Iwuno.
Contributing, the Chairman Nigerian Labor Congress, Anambra State Council, Comrade Sir Humphrey Emeka Nwafor urged NUP to be together and more united. “NLC has already taken the matter of #32,000 pension up.A His Excellency Prof Chukwuma Soludo has graciously given the Pensioners a non taxable monthly #10,000 from October 2024 till date. He has also asked SSG , HOS and Commissioner for Finance to do the calculations and see what can be done about the New minimum pension.
Ugwunze is of the Anambra State Ministry of Information
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