Ogun workers reject pension scheme amid N82 billion discrepancy
Ogun workers reject pension scheme amid N82 billion discrepancy
The organised labour in Ogun State, which includes the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and Joint Negotiating Council, on Wednesday called on the government to suspend the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025, within 72 hours.
The workers cited the non-remittance of over N82 billion deducted from employees over the past 17 years to Pension Fund Administrators as a key reason for their rejection of the scheme.
They urged the government to either revert to the previous pension system or postpone the CPS rollout until all their concerns and issues regarding the scheme are fully addressed.
This demand was made during a briefing held at the Ogun NLC Secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital.
In attendance at the briefing were the Chairman of NLC, Ogun State Council, Hameed-Benco Ademola, his TUC and JNC counterparts, Akeem Lasisi and Isa Olude, respectively, among other labour leaders.
The workers said that the 17-year-old pension scheme was signed into law in 2008 by former Governor Gbenga Daniel but it had been designed to fail because the former governor failed to remit 25 months of workers’ deduction before leaving office in May 2011.
They stated further that though Daniel’s successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, amended the law in 2013 to commence the implementation of the contributory pension scheme in July 2025, he only remitted nine months of workers’ deductions during his eight-year tenure.
The labour leaders affirmed that Governor Dapo Abiodun also within his six years in office equally remitted no dime as workers’ deductions into the pension scheme.
They expressed frustration that despite numerous letters and messages sent to the government regarding the issue, there has been no response.
Speaking on behalf of the labour leaders, Comrade Hammed-Benco said, “Following meetings with all affiliates and organs of the organised labour concerning the full implementation of the CPS in the state starting July 1, 2025, we find it necessary to inform the public of our rejection of its immediate rollout and call for a postponement until all administrative and financial requirements are fully met.”
He explained that their rejection stems from inconsistencies in the enforcement of the 2008 Pension Act, as amended in 2013.
The NLC chairman also lamented the absence of a State Bureau of Contributory Pension, a mandatory contributory pension board, and a comprehensive register or database for the scheme.
“Therefore, Ogun State workers demand the suspension of the Ogun State Pension Reform Law (OGPRL) and urge the state government to enter into dialogue within the next 72 hours,” he stated.
When asked about their next steps should the government fail to comply, TUC Chairman Lasisi said the labour leaders would consult with the workers.
“What is clear is that Ogun State workers are angry, unhappy, and frustrated over this matter—they are already very tense,” he added.
