Pensioners from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) have announced their intention to take part in a nationwide naked protest scheduled for December 8, aiming to demand the payment of long-overdue entitlements.
This information was shared by Bola Popoola, the National Financial Secretary of the FRCN pensioners, in a statement released on Saturday in Lagos.
It is worth noting that the Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has previously announced a mass demonstration to advocate for the settlement of outstanding pension increment arrears and approved palliative allowances.
As stated by the coalition’s National Chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote, the protest has become necessary due to the ongoing delays in fulfilling the pensioners’ statutory financial obligations.
Popoola mentioned that FRCN retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme felt compelled to join the protest, labeling it as a last resort to ensure their concerns are acknowledged.
He pointed out that the unresolved arrears linked to the N32,000 minimum pension have caused significant hardship for many elderly retirees.
Additionally, Popoola noted that the government’s failure to implement the N25,000 palliative approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 has exacerbated their economic difficulties.
“Our choice to engage in the naked protest stems from the government’s outright refusal to disburse the N25,000 palliative for six months, despite its approval in 2023,” he remarked.
He also disclosed that Nigerian pensioners living abroad are organizing coordinated demonstrations in their respective countries to attract international attention to the crisis.
Popoola expressed his disappointment that those who devoted their productive years to serving the nation are now facing such challenges.