NAMA pensioners threaten protest over unpaid arrears

Retirees of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency have threatened to stage a protest over the agency’s alleged failure to pay outstanding pension increases and arrears, despite the release of N2.5bn for the purpose.

The Contributory Pensioners Union of Nigeria, NAMA Branch, said it rejected a meeting the agency proposed for 3 November 2026, insisting that management meet with the union by 21 October and pay the outstanding arrears before the end of October.

In a message to pensioners, the union’s branch secretary, Lawal Wasiu, told The PUNCH that the agency responded to the planned industrial action, scheduled for 22 October, with a letter dated 19 October, which he alleged was intended to deceive retirees.

He stated that the letter was directed at NAMA Contributory Pension Scheme retirees instead of the Contributory Pensioners Union of Nigeria, which he identified as the recognised organisation representing the retirees

“The purported letter was rejected,” Wasiu said.

He accused NAMA management of deliberately failing to communicate with the union since a meeting held on 10 June 2026, while continuing to engage with the elders’ forum.

“NAMA management has deliberately failed to respond or communicate with the Union since the 10 June 2026 meeting, but has been meeting with the elders’ forum and deceiving the gullible retirees as confessed in the letter.”

Wasiu said the proposed 3 November meeting was unacceptable, arguing that retirees could not afford to wait any longer for the payment of their entitlements.

“As we speak NAMA staff and contract staff are collecting two months’ salary, 13th Month, and the October salary, while we have nothing to collect except the peanuts we have been collecting for over 10 years of retirement which have no increments,” he said.

He queried the whereabouts of the N2.5bn reportedly released for the pensioners in April 2026, noting that nearly six months had elapsed without the retirees receiving their outstanding entitlements.

“What happened to the N2.5bn that was released on our behalf in April 2026 about six months ago?”

The union secretary called on NAMA management to meet with the union by 21 October and ensure payment of the arrears before the end of the month, warning that failure to do so would prompt the retirees to escalate their demands.

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“If NAMA management wants to dialogue or have a meeting with us it should be no later than Wednesday, 21 October 2026 and it must be ready to pay our accrued pension rights arrears by October end. If not the presidency and the whole Nigeria will know that NAMA management have refused to pay us our money which NSIWC computed and submitted to them since last September.”

He also queried why serving staff were reportedly being paid a 13th-month salary while retirees continued to struggle to afford basic necessities: “Why should our own money wait while the people in service are collecting 13th Month which is expected to be paid along with the December salary in October? While we continue to languish in hunger and poverty.”

The union maintained that the outstanding payments should be made immediately rather than deferred until November or December.

“It is time for NAMA to pay us our money our pension arrears. The time is now, not November, not December 2026.” “NAMA pay us our pension rights arrears now.”

Wasiu urged pensioners at other NAMA stations to join the planned protest, which the union said would begin at 11 am on Thursday, 22 October 2026.

“Now that NAMA management have responded to our call for action, we are now imploring all other stations to join and demand that our money to be paid this Thursday, 22 October 2026 by 11:00 am prompt.”

In a letter dated 12 October 2026, addressed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NAMA, the union had formally demanded the immediate payment of pension increases and outstanding arrears.

The letter stated that the entitlements had remained outstanding for more than two decades and that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission had completed the computation of the applicable pension increases and arrears and submitted them to the agency for implementation.

It added that many affected pensioners were over 70 years old, while some had retired in 2008 or earlier. The union said several retirees depended on their pensions to meet basic needs, including food, accommodation and medical treatment, while some had died waiting for the benefits and adjustments.

The union urged NAMA to begin paying the increased pensions, clear outstanding arrears, provide a clear timeline for implementation and disbursement, and treat the issue as urgent, given the retirees’ advanced age and financial challenges.

The letter was also copied to the Director-General of the National Pension Commission, the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, and the President of the Contributory Pensioners Union of Nigeria.