The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Council, on Monday accused the managements of two state-owned tertiary institutions of disobeying Governor Seyi Makinde’s directive on the implementation of pension increases for retirees.
The union specifically named the managements of the Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, and the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, alleging that they had failed to implement the governor’s directive despite repeated appeals.
Addressing journalists at the union’s headquarters in Agbarigo, Ibadan, the Secretary of the NUP, Oyo State Council, Comrade (Dr) Olusegun Abatan, described the institutions’ actions as “a gross act of insubordination” to the constituted authority.
Abatan said Governor Makinde had, in January 2025, directed that the minimum monthly pension in the state be increased to N25,000, while also ordering the implementation of outstanding pension increases, including the 33 per cent pension increase approved in 2010, the 2019 consequential adjustment, the 20 per cent pension increase effective January 2024 and the balance of the N32,000 pension adjustment effective August 2024 for eligible retirees.
According to him, most pension-paying agencies complied with the governor’s directive immediately, despite the absence of an official circular.
He said: “Those organs of government believed that any directive from the governor is law, with or without a circular, and must be carried out strictly.”
The union alleged that while institutions such as the Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-Ora, and Michael Adeniyi Koleoso Polytechnic, Saki, had complied with the directive, the teaching hospital and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education were yet to do so.
Abatan disclosed that the union had written several letters and held meetings with the institutions in an effort to resolve the matter but claimed that the managements had failed to act.
He alleged that the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH delayed engagement with the union for several months, while the Vice-Chancellor of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education had yet to fulfil assurances given during earlier discussions.
The NUP secretary, however, announced that Michael Adeniyi Koleoso Polytechnic had commenced implementation of the pension increases from July 2026, describing the development as a welcome step.
“Just as I was preparing for this conference, we received the pleasant news that the management of Michael Adeniyi Koleoso Polytechnic has commenced implementation of the pension increases for its pensioners,” he said.
The union maintained that pensioners in the affected institutions were entitled not only to the N25,000 minimum pension but also to all outstanding pension adjustments and arrears dating back to January 2025.
Abatan further accused the managements of LAUTECH and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education of implementing the new minimum wage for serving workers while excluding pensioners, describing the action as a violation of Sections 173(3) and 210(3) of the Constitution, which provide for corresponding pension increases whenever workers’ salaries are reviewed.
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He announced that the union had resolved to embark on peaceful protests at both institutions from August 18 if the outstanding issues were not resolved.
“The State Executive of our union has directed that from Tuesday, August 18, 2026, a massive protest to LAUTECH and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education be commenced by the aggrieved pensioners of those institutions.
“They will be joined by pensioners from ministries, departments and agencies, as well as retired primary school teachers and local government pensioners in those areas,” he said.
Abatan added that the union would also seek the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to declare a three-day warning strike at the two institutions if the situation persisted.
He stressed that the planned actions were not intended to embarrass Governor Makinde’s administration, which he described as pensioner-friendly.
“Our actions are not tailored to embarrass the governor’s administration but to ensure that the managements of these institutions comply with the governor’s directive,” he said.
The union said it would formally notify Governor Makinde of its position and the planned protests.