Retired workers of the Nigerian Ports Authority on Monday in peaceful protest at the agency’s corporate headquarters in a dramatic over what they described as 16 years of unpaid retirement entitlements, accusing management of repeated neglect and failed negotiations.
The retirees who are in their numbers at the headquarters, effectively halt official operations as they demand immediate payment of outstanding benefits. Security personnel were deployed to the premises to maintain order, while access to the building remained restricted throughout the protest.
“We Can No Longer Be Silent” — Retirees Declare
Speaking during the protest, representatives of the pensioners said the action followed years of unsuccessful dialogue with the agency and growing frustration over unfulfilled promises.
“So the reason why we are here, we are here to tell them that we can no longer be silent,” one of the leaders said.
According to them, multiple attempts had been made to resolve the dispute through engagement and negotiation, but they accused the management of failing to respond meaningfully.
“We have tried every possible means to negotiate with them, but still they are not yielding to reason. It’s like they are ignoring us,” another protester said.
16-Year Dispute and Alleged Broken Promises
One of the pensioners said they are demanding an upward review of their pensions in line with current economic realities and rising inflation. He explained that pension adjustments should reflect the same increments granted to active staff, arguing that retirees should not be left behind while salaries of serving employees are increased.
He added that leaving pension payments unchanged for over sixteen years in the face of inflation and economic changes in Nigeria has worsened the hardship faced by retirees, making their demand both urgent and justified.
They further said that the dispute over unpaid entitlements has persisted for over a decade and a half, despite what they described as repeated assurances from successive leaderships.
They also alleged that even when government directives or presidential interventions were communicated, implementation was either delayed or contested by the agency.
“Even for 16 years, we have been like this… they’ve been promising us. What the president has been trying to give to us, these people are denying us,” one retiree claimed.
The pensioners further insisted that they have been denied benefits they believe are due to them, despite what they described as documented agreements and attempts at compromise.
“They have been signing, trying to come to a compromise with them, which they are not willing to meet,” another protest leader added.
The disruption of operations and the absence of management at the scene brought normal activities at the headquarters to a standstill, with staff unable to access their offices and visitors being turned away at the gate.
Eyewitnesses reported that only security personnel were visible within and around the premises, as tensions remained high throughout the protest.
A staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said management officials appeared unwilling to confront the protesters directly.
“As you can see, no management team is here to attend to us. Only police officers are on standby,” the staff member said, adding that officials were reportedly avoiding direct engagement with the retirees.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Ports Authority had not issued an official statement on the protest or the allegations raised.
Broader Concerns Over Pension Welfare
The protest adds to growing concerns over pension administration and retirees’ welfare in Nigeria’s public sector, where recurring disputes over arrears, verification delays, and benefit adjustments have triggered similar demonstrations across multiple agencies.
Retired NPA workers have blocked the Nigerian Ports Authority headquarters in protest over 16 years of unpaid entitlements, accusing management of neglect and failed negotiations.
