Lagos Pensioners Give Sanwo-Olu 19 Days To Pay Or Face Statewide Protest

Retirees in Lagos say their patience has run out.

Members of the Contributory Pension Scheme have issued Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu a 19-day ultimatum to pay all outstanding pension increases and wage awards. If the money does not reflect in their PFA accounts within that window, they will take to major roads across the state on August 31.

The ultimatum was delivered by the Lagos State Council of the National Union of Pensioners, CPS, NUPCPS. Council Chairman Michael Omisande signed the statement released on Thursday, saying the continued delay has left many pensioners in severe hardship.

The core of their grievance: while federal retirees and pensioners in other states began receiving the revised payments in January 2026, Lagos CPS pensioners have received nothing, despite rising living costs.

“We are being pushed back to the streets because our appeals have been ignored,” the union said. Several engagements with the Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, have failed to yield any concrete action.

According to Omisande, formal notice of the planned protest has already been sent to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa, and the Commissioner of Police to provide security during the demonstration.

This would have happened earlier. A protest planned for April 1, 2026 was suspended after labour leaders and pension stakeholders intervened and assured the issues would be fixed. The union also submitted its template for pension increases and wage awards in January. No payment has been made since.

At a meeting with LASPEC Director-General Babalola Obilana and Executive Director Finance Muyiwa Oshin, the DG reportedly acknowledged there was still no implementation timeline, even after the governor’s directive, Omisande stated.

For the retirees, the impact is direct. Many cannot meet daily expenses, and others are struggling with medical bills without financial support.

“After dedicating years of service to Lagos State, it is wrong that we are treated this way just to access our entitlements,” the union said. “We call on all CPS pensioners in Lagos and surrounding areas to prepare. If government does not keep to the agreement, this will be the mother of all protests. No sacrifice, no gain. Pensioners united can never be defeated.”

With 19 days left, all eyes are now on August 31.