Daud Olatunji
Organised labour in Ogun State on Tuesday issued a stern warning to the state government over what it described as the failed and chaotic implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), demanding its immediate suspension following the revelation of an alleged N82 billion unremitted pension deductions.
At a press conference held at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) secretariat in Abeokuta, leaders of the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) jointly denounced the government’s move to commence full implementation of the CPS on July 1, 2025.
The press briefing was led by the Ogun State NLC Chairman, Comrade Benco Abdul Hameed Ademola, flanked by TUC State Chairman, Comrade Akeem Lasisi; JNC Chairman, Comrade Olude Isa; NLC State Secretary, Chris Omone; and JNC Secretary, Comrade Olayemi Oloyede .
The labour leaders described the CPS in Ogun as a “monumental failure” citing several structural and legal breaches by the state government. Chief among their concerns is the alleged non-remittance of over N82 billion in workers’ deductions to their respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) over the last 17 years.
According to them, the state’s contributory pension law—OGSPRL 2008, as amended in 2013—has been grossly violated.
They listed specific failures including the absence of a functional State Bureau of Contributory Pension, the lack of a mandatory Pension Board, and the failure to conduct actuarial valuation of past services of civil servants.
Other violations include the absence of a comprehensive pension register or database, the non-existence of a mandatory life insurance policy for workers, and the state’s refusal to remit its counterpart contributions to PFAs as required by law.
“The Ogun State Government is simply not prepared for the full implementation of the scheme. What we have is a law on paper that has not been backed by action or funding,” Comrade Ademola declared.
While fielding questions from journalists, Comrade Lasisi provided a breakdown of past administrations’ failures. He said former Governor Gbenga Daniel left a backlog of 25 months unpaid deductions. His successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, paid only nine months throughout his eight-year tenure, while Governor Dapo Abiodun has allegedly not paid a dime since assuming office.
“The government has already violated the pension laws. We cannot continue to pretend. The entire workers of Ogun State are now demanding a total review of the pension law. If the government refuses to heed this call within 72 hours, we will return to our principals for further directives,” he warned.
The labour unions have vowed to resist any further implementation of the scheme until the state government meets the legal and administrative requirements outlined in the pension reform law and clears the alleged N82 billion debt owed to workers.
They emphasized that Ogun State workers, who have contributed significantly to the state’s economy, must not be subjected to hardship during their retirement.
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