Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reassured pensioners in the state that his administration will settle all outstanding pension arrears owed by the previous government by May 28, 2027. This promise was made during a solidarity rally held by the Oyo State Union of Pensioners at the Governor’s office in Agodi, Ibadan, on Thursday.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Deputy Governor Adebayo Lawal emphasized the state government’s commitment to the welfare of pensioners, stating, “Engineer Makinde has an interest in human capital development and the state is ready to tap from their wealth of experience through collaboration with pensioners from both the state and federal government.”
The rally saw hundreds of pensioners from all regions of Oyo State gather to express their appreciation for the recent improvements to their pension system. The Secretary of the Oyo State Union of Pensioners, Olusegun Abatan, commended Governor Makinde’s efforts, noting that the governor’s promise to clear pension arrears has “given pensioners hope for a better future.”
Abatan also praised the governor’s actions since taking office in 2019, describing the conditions pensioners faced before Makinde’s leadership as “sympathetic and empathetic.” He highlighted the significant strides made under Makinde’s governance, particularly the review that has made Oyo State pensioners the highest-paid in the country.
The pension review, which included a N25,000 minimum pension, has been hailed by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Oyo State Council, as well as the NUP South-West Zonal Council, which expressed gratitude to the governor in a letter dated February 12, 2025.
The review also included adjustments for past pension increases and the factoring of the 33% pension increase from 2010, alongside the 20% increase from the 2019 adjustment.
“Governor Makinde started on a great note when he assumed office in 2019 by paying gratuities that were ‘criminally held down for a whole eight years,’” said Abatan, further praising the governor for his timely payments and the latest pension review. “This latest review is a clear sign of the governor’s dedication to improving the lives of pensioners.”
The ongoing efforts by the state government continue to uplift the lives of retired civil servants in Oyo State, with pensioners now benefitting from the highest pension rates in the country.