Pensioners
Pensioners of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) have announced their decision to participate in the nationwide naked protest slated for December 8, adding more weight to the growing unrest among retired federal workers.
The National Financial Secretary of the FRCN Pensioners, Bola Popoola, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday.
This comes a day after the Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria revealed plans for the unusual protest. Its National Chairman, Mr. Mukaila Ogunbote, said the action aims to compel the Federal Government to clear outstanding pension increment arrears and unpaid palliative allowances owed to retirees.
Popoola explained that FRCN pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) and those aligned with the coalition had reached a breaking point.
According to him, they have been left with no choice but to join the demonstration.
“Our resolve to participate in the naked protest stems also from outright non-payment of the N25,000 palliative for six months, as approved since 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
He added that their colleagues living abroad were equally frustrated, saying, “Such is not flying with our colleagues in diaspora, which is the reason they have vowed to put their own naked protest on the international stage, wherever they are domiciled on Monday, Dec. 8.”
Popoola stressed that pensioners remain one of the most vulnerable groups in the country, having devoted the prime of their lives to national service.
He described the situation as unacceptable, warning that forcing retirees into public begging “is worrisome” and demands urgent government attention.
The coalition maintains that the protest will proceed as planned unless the government addresses the outstanding payments.
