By Seun Ibiyemi
Retirees of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to authorities, threatening to embark on a nationwide protest over more than 16 years of unpaid pension increments and benefits.
The pensioners, under the aegis of the Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners Welfare Association, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, warning that failure to address their demands could lead to a shutdown of seaports across the country.
President of the association, Charles Ayo Binitie, said the planned protest was driven by the persistent failure of NPA management to implement the constitutionally mandated five-year pension increment, which he noted has not been applied since 2008.
He lamented the worsening living conditions of retirees, many of whom, he said, now struggle to survive amid rising inflation and economic hardship.
“It is sad and regrettable to say the least that, amid the current high inflation rate and economic downturn, only a few NPA retirees receive up to N100,000, while more than 50 per cent earn between N50,000 and as low as N30,000 monthly,” Binitie stated.
He argued that despite NPA’s status as a top-tier government parastatal, its retirees are poorly treated, adding that pension adjustments implemented by management fall short of provisions outlined in Section 173(3) of the Constitution, which guarantees pension increases every five years or in line with salary adjustments for serving workers.
Binitie accused the NPA management of disregarding repeated efforts by the association to resolve the issue, noting that letters sent to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and the Presidency, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, have yet to yield results.
He further alleged that the NPA has failed to submit necessary documentation to the wages commission for over 15 years, thereby stalling any meaningful pension review.
Addressing concerns about internal disputes within the association, Binitie maintained that all leadership issues had been resolved through court rulings.
He cited a Lagos High Court judgment in Ikeja which directed the conduct of an Annual General Meeting and subsequent elections that led to his emergence as president.
He also referenced a September 2025 ruling by an Apapa Magistrate Court, which affirmed him as the authentic leader of the association following a prolonged legal battle over alleged impersonation.
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According to him, the association is now united and speaks with one voice on the plight of its members.
Binitie called on the Presidency and relevant government agencies to urgently intervene and compel the NPA to settle all outstanding pension obligations, including increments tied to the 2024 minimum wage.
He warned that failure to act within the stipulated timeframe would leave pensioners with no option but to proceed with mass protests nationwide.
