The Nigeria Union of Pensioners warns against a planned naked protest by a splinter group, affirming dialogue as the preferred approach to pending arrears and palliative payments

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has formally distanced itself from a planned naked protest scheduled for Monday, November 24, by a splinter group calling itself the Coalition of Pensioners.

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The union described the protest as unauthorised and warned participants that they would act at their own risk.

In a statement released on Friday by National President Godwin Abumisi, the NUP said, “Our attention has been drawn to a purported threat by some group of pensioners threatening fire and brimstone to embark on a naked protest to press for the release and payment of the pending six months’ arrears arising from the N32,000 pension increase.”

Abumisi emphasised that the union prefers dialogue over confrontation, noting that ongoing discussions with the Federal Government have already yielded positive results.

The NUP stated that payments of the pension increment began in September 2023, and the substantial part of the arrears is expected alongside the November 2025 monthly pension, according to assurances from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation during a meeting on November 19, 2025.

“Finally, and for emphasis sake, we wish to categorically and unequivocally state that the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and its teeming members have no plan to embark on any protest as we believe that to jaw-jaw is better than to war-war,” the statement added.

The union also called on the Federal Government to expedite payment of the unpaid N25,000 monthly palliative allowance for three months, approved in October 2023, to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.

Abumisi appealed to President Bola Tinubu to honour his promise to senior citizens and ensure timely disbursement through the National Social Safety Net office to prevent further frustration among pensioners.

The NUP reassured its members that their concerns are being addressed and reiterated the importance of patience and peaceful engagement as the preferred method of resolving outstanding issues.

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Earlier this month, reports emerged that the Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria threatened a nationwide naked protest if the government failed to pay outstanding pension increment arrears and palliative allowances.