By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The tension brewing within Nigeria’s pension community has eased after the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, and two major pension unions closed ranks to halt a proposed protest planned by a faction of pensioners.

In an meeting convened in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Tolulope Odunaiya, engaged leaders of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, FEPPPAN, to address rising concerns over a threatened “naked protest” by a dissident group.

A statement by PTAD’s Head of Corporate Communications Unit,  Olugbenga Ajayi, disclosed that  Odunaiya, flanked by senior PTAD management officials, reaffirmed the Directorate’s commitment to transparent communication and sustained partnership with the recognised unions. 

She highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance pensioners’ welfare, including the implementation of the N 32,000 minimum wage pension adjustment, the 10.66% and 12.95% approved pension increments, and the successful push for a N 45 billion emergency budgetary allocation to settle arrears.

She clarified that the much-discussed N25,000 palliative was not under PTAD’s mandate but that of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. 

However, she assured that PTAD was following up with the ministry and would provide updates once available. 

Odunaiya warned that the planned protest — particularly the threat of a naked demonstration — could undermine ongoing efforts to protect the dignity and welfare of pensioners.

In a move that helped defuse tensions, leaders of both NUP and FEPPPAN distanced their organisations from the planned action. 

They reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue, urging pensioners to route complaints through recognised union structures rather than resort to public demonstrations.

The Executive Secretary welcomed their position, noting that unity and structured engagement were vital to maintaining progress within the Defined Benefit Scheme. 

She restated PTAD’s commitment to improved communication and continued prioritisation of pensioners’ welfare.

The meeting ended with renewed assurances that all parties would work together to safeguard the dignity, stability, and well-being of pensioners across the country.