Lagos pensioners issue 19-Day ultimatum to Sanwo-Olu over delayed pension increase
By Eberechi Obinagwam
Contributory pensioners in Lagos State has given the state government a 19-day ultimatum to implement approved pension increases and wage awards, warning that failure to pay will trigger a mass protest on August 31, 2026.
The ultimatum was disclosed on Monday, August 3, 2026, during a meeting between the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme, NUPCPS, Lagos State Council and the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Sunkanmi Oyegbola.
Addressing the meeting, NUPCPS Lagos Chairman, Comrade Michael Omisande, said the union had already written to the Governor of Lagos State, demanding immediate crediting of pensioners’ accounts.
“We have communicated a letter to Mr. Governor issuing a 19-day ultimatum to credit the accounts of pensioners on the pension increases/wage award, or incur the wrath of pensioners via protest action tentatively fixed for 31st August, 2026,” he said.
The union said it was concerned about what it described as the “snail move” by the Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, to actualize the payment. According to Omisande, the template for the increase was submitted to government in January 2026, and LASPEC had announced approval to engage an Actuary to work out modalities, but no payment has been made since.
The Director General of LASPEC, Babalola Obilana, who joined the meeting alongside Executive Director, Finance, Muyiwa Oshin, said the Governor had summoned him and issued a directive on the matter. He however did not give a timeline for implementation.
Despite the DG’s update, Omisande insisted that “the ultimatum subsists.”
Also, the Lagos NLC Chairman, Agnes Sessie, who stumbled on the meeting, threw her weight behind the pensioners and appealed to the Permanent Secretary and LASPEC to expedite action.
The union said it has also notified the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police of the planned protest to ensure adequate protection.
In a passionate appeal to members, NUPCPS said: “We therefore appeal to our members in Lagos and its environs to be prepared for the mother of all protest. It is a sacrifice we must render for our financial emancipation.”
The chairman added that the National Secretariat of NUPCPS has backed the Lagos Council, and that traditional and social media would be deployed to mobilize for the action.
“I strongly believe that the money can be paid if the government really wants to pay within the time frame. By the grace of God we shall smile soon,” he said.
The meeting also had in attendance leaders of NUPDBS, Comr. Olufemi Olarewaju and Comrade Olukayode Bada.
