In Nigeria of today, working in the civil service is quite interesting, but that only lasts for the 35 years of active working. Once that lapses, the next phase comes with huge sufferings for most people.

Pensioners are the least on priorities, from state to the federal government. It’s a series of untold hardships, right from the point of retiring. Getting the gratuity and regular pensions have always been complex. And the unfortunate thing is that, this trend has been going on for a while now, but nothing has been done to end it.

The Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service recently revealed that the Federal Government owes its retirees over N400bn accrued pension rights. The Chairman of the committee, Ibrahim Shekarau, said this at an event on Monday, noting that the current National Assembly will ensure that all the arrears were cleared, even if it would be the only achievement that the 9th National Assembly would be remembered for.

Government owes the accrued pension funds of over N400bn, the committee has written a seriously worded letter to the Senate President, insisting that the Senate should take this up with Mr President to make sure this matter is addressed, otherwise it is one step forward, 10 steps backward,” he said.

Before addressing the issue constitutionally which could take a longer time, Shekarau said the Senate committee hoped to facilitate a special meeting with key relevant government officials and agencies and pension operators, where they would be told all the stories of pensioners’ sufferings.

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