By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has confirmed that pensioners in Oyo State are the highest paid in the country.
This was disclosed during a thank-you visit to the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, at Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, on Thursday.
The pensioners, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Council, stated that the review has made Oyo State pensioners the highest-paid state pensioners in the federation.
Similarly, the NUP South-West Zonal Council also commended Governor Makinde for the review of pensions, which led to the payment of N25,000 as a minimum pension to the least-paid pensioner, the inclusion of the 33 percent pension increase of 2010, the consequential adjustment of 2019, a 20 percent pension increase, and part of the N32,000 minimum wage across the board for Oyo State pensioners.
The South-West NUP, in a letter dated February 12, 2025, and signed by its chairman, Comrade Waidi Oloyede, and secretary, Comrade Sunday Akin, expressed gratitude to the governor.
Speaking at the appreciation rally, the Secretary of the NUP, Oyo State Council, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, in a speech titled “Resurrected Pensioners in Oyo State Appreciate Engr. Seyi Makinde,” praised the governor for transforming the plight of pensioners.
He stated that the governor started on a strong note upon assuming office in 2019 by paying gratuities that had been “criminally held down for a whole eight years,” ensuring pension payments on the 25th of every month, and culminating these efforts with the latest pension review after all previous pleas to past administrations had failed.
He said: “For 16 years before you took over the mantle of government in Oyo State, pensioners had no government that was sympathetic and empathetic to their plight. Gratuities were not paid as and when due, pensions were withheld or paid in installments, and all appeals to the government fell on deaf ears, resulting in the massive deaths of our members.
“At one point, Oyo State pensioners were referred to as dead people, and in actual fact, we were dying like fowls afflicted by Newcastle disease. When you contested for the first term, we just wanted anyone who could liberate us from the shackles of death, and we voted en masse for you. We did the same when you sought re-election.
“You have not disappointed us. Our pensions became regular, and you began paying our gratuities that had been criminally withheld for eight years because we were allegedly accused of not voting for them.
“During those locust years, the extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which stipulated that pensions should be increased, were completely disregarded by past administrations.
“As a result, some of our members were earning between N350 and N1,000 as monthly pensions. All our pleas to those in power fell on deaf ears.
“The only relief we had was a token review of pensions 18 years ago, with pension increases between 2007 and 2019 ignored by past governors. When you became governor, our union began pushing for the implementation of pension increases, and you took time to widely consult on how to go about reviewing the stagnant pensions.
“We know that all decisions ultimately rest on your table, and because we know you are kind, humane, and compassionate toward pensioners, our letter to you struck a chord. This led to your approval that the least-paid pensioners in Oyo State should now earn N25,000 per month.
“You didn’t stop there. You directed that all pension increases since 2007 be factored into the pensions of affected pensioners, leading to an unprecedented pension increase for our members. This increase is historic in the annals of pension review in Oyo State and the first of its kind in the entire federation.”
In response, Governor Makinde, represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, assured that his administration remains committed to the welfare of pensioners and improving their standard of living.
The governor commended the pensioners and their leadership for showing gratitude to his administration, noting that his government understands the importance of prioritizing the welfare of pensioners who dedicated 35 years of their lives to the state’s development.
He recalled that in 2019, the gratuities and pension arrears owed by past administrations amounted to about N61 billion. However, his government has managed to offset a significant portion of the debt and pledged to clear the remaining balance before the end of his second tenure in May 2027.
He said: “What happened this morning was quite unprecedented. In my experience, pensioners have never come to express appreciation to any government. So, this is remarkable and is due to what this administration has done for them in terms of improving their welfare in Oyo State.
“Comrade Abatan mentioned that before now, pensioners were receiving between N350 and N1,000, and the last time a pension review was undertaken was during the administration of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala. Since then, there had been no improvements until now.
“As an administration, we examined all circumstances—socio-economic and otherwise—and asked ourselves, ‘What would be a living pension for our pensioners?’ We determined a reasonable living pension that would be sufficient, on average, for our pensioners.
“This morning’s appreciation event is a testament to their gratitude, and it encourages the government to explore further areas of improvement.”
In attendance at the appreciation rally were the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo; Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni; Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Hon. Segun Olayiwola; and Chairman of the Local Government Pensions Board, Hon. Ademola Ige.
Others included the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo; Special Adviser on Establishment and Training, Alhaji Siju Lawal; and the Permanent Secretary of the Oyo State Pensions Board, Alhaji H.A. Bello.