A Nigerian pension advocate, Sebastian Julius Ebhoriaze Ebhohon, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, and the National Assembly to urgently address the worsening conditions facing pensioners across the country.
In an open letter, he highlighted persistent delays in gratuity payments, noting that many retirees wait more than a decade after leaving service before receiving their entitlements. According to him, some pensioners die before their gratuities are paid, while others are forced to rely on loans, family support, or the sale of personal assets to survive.
The letter also raised concerns about the impact of inflation on retirees, arguing that rising food, healthcare, and medication costs have significantly reduced the value of pensions. Many elderly Nigerians, he said, struggle to afford treatment for age-related illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and vision problems.
Ebhohon further criticised the lack of regular pension adjustments, pointing out that pension increases have failed to keep pace with the sharp rise in living expenses. He warned that the situation has left many retired public servants living in poverty despite decades of service to the nation.
Among his recommendations are the immediate clearance of outstanding gratuities, the introduction of automatic pension reviews linked to inflation and minimum wage adjustments, and the establishment of a pension indexation system similar to those used in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ghana, and South Africa.
He also urged the government to provide free healthcare support, annual medical check-ups, and access to essential medications for pensioners aged 65 and above through the national health insurance framework.
The pension advocate called for greater transparency in pension administration, including the publication of records showing retirees owed benefits and payment timelines. He also proposed sanctions for agencies or officials responsible for unjustified delays in pension and gratuity payments.
According to him, pensioners should not be treated as beneficiaries of charity but as citizens entitled to benefits earned through decades of service. He warned that continued neglect of retirees could discourage younger Nigerians from pursuing careers in public service and weaken confidence in government institutions.
