The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has firmly dissociated itself from a planned naked protest scheduled for Monday, November 24, by a breakaway faction operating under the name Coalition of Pensioners.
The development has raised concerns across the federal civil service pension community, prompting the NUP to issue strong clarification regarding its position and ongoing engagements with government authorities.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by the National President, Godwin Abumisi, the NUP described the planned demonstration as completely unauthorised and warned that anyone who participates does so solely at their own risk.
According to the union, the threat of a nude protest is not only extreme but also undermines the principles of decorum, dialogue, and constitutional engagement expected of senior citizens.
Abumisi stated that the union was aware of grievances surrounding the outstanding six-month arrears arising from the N32,000 pension increment.
However, he stressed that the NUP national leadership had chosen the path of negotiation, which he said had already begun to yield positive results.
He explained that the union learned of the planned demonstration through circulating messages and emphatic warnings issued by the splinter group, which accused the government of delaying the settlement of arrears.
While acknowledging the financial frustrations felt by pensioners, the NUP maintained that the Coalition of Pensioners has no mandate to speak for the broad pensioner community or take actions capable of embarrassing retired workers nationwide.
Dialogue Already Yielding Progress
The NUP emphasised that ongoing dialogue with relevant government institutions remains the most productive approach.
Abumisi confirmed that the Federal Government had already commenced payment of the N32,000 pension increment, starting from September 2023.
He added that during a recent meeting on November 19, 2025, officials from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation gave assurances that substantial portions of the outstanding arrears would be paid alongside the November 2025 pension disbursement.
The union described this assurance as evidence of government commitment and urged members to remain patient.
Reiterating its message, the leadership stressed that pensioners must avoid being misled by groups that lack constitutional recognition.
It noted that the NUP remains the only statutory body empowered to represent civil, parastatal, and paramilitary pensioners in Nigeria.
According to Abumisi, the NUP’s maturity and structured approach were essential for preserving the dignity of senior citizens.
He stated that while peaceful protests are acceptable in a democracy, actions that undermine decency or portray pensioners as unruly would only weaken the credibility of their demands.
NUP Rejects Planned Naked Protest and Calls for Responsible Conduct
With the rising tension surrounding pension payments, the union used the opportunity to reiterate its firm rejection of the planned naked protest.
It argued that such an extreme demonstration could escalate situations unnecessarily, damage public perception, or even expose vulnerable pensioners to security threats or legal consequences.
“Peaceful engagement remains the most viable and respectable option,” the union said, restating that its leadership will continue meeting with government stakeholders until all arrears and pending allowances are addressed.
This stance aligns with the union’s broader philosophy that “jaw-jaw is better than war-war”, underscoring that pensioners, as senior citizens, must demonstrate the highest level of restraint and leadership expected of them.
Demand for Immediate Release of N25,000 Fuel Subsidy Palliative
Beyond arrears, the NUP highlighted unresolved issues around the unpaid N25,000 monthly palliative promised to pensioners for three months following the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023.
While workers have long received their payments, pensioners have reportedly remained excluded despite fulfilling all documentation requirements.
The union appealed to President Bola Tinubu to expedite the release of the funds through the National Social Safety Net office.
It argued that many pensioners were increasingly distressed by rising inflation, transportation challenges, and escalating living costs worsened by subsidy removal.
The union warned that continued delays could heighten agitation within the pension community and potentially lead to more desperate demonstrations if government agencies fail to act promptly.
A Call for Calm While Engagement Continues
In addressing growing anxiety among pensioners, the NUP reassured its members that it remains actively involved in negotiations and that concrete progress is underway.
The statement called on pensioners nationwide to disregard the messages circulated by the splinter group and wait for updates directly from the national leadership.
Earlier in November, reports indicated that the Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria had threatened to organise a nationwide naked protest if government failed to settle their arrears and palliative allowances.
However, the NUP clarified that such a group holds no formal authority and does not represent the broader pensioner constituency.
Upholding the Integrity of Senior Citizens
In concluding its position, the NUP urged pensioners to maintain decorum and avoid any action that could tarnish their public image.
As elder statesmen, the union said, pensioners must uphold the values of discipline, patience, and responsibility, even in times of hardship.
The leadership also encouraged members to remain united and reject attempts by unregistered groups to exploit their frustrations.
It committed to providing transparent updates on all negotiations and assured that the union’s resolve to secure the rights and welfare of pensioners remains unwavering.
