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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Pensioners in Osun state have raised their voices against the piecemeal payment of their gratuities, calling for a bulk payment to help them live more comfortably in their retirement years.
Members of the 2011/2012 Retired Public Servants Association and unbonded contributory scheme pensioners staged a protest in Osogbo on Thursday, demanding better treatment and improved living conditions.
They carried placards with inscriptions such as, “Consider the life of those that served this state for 35 years and they could not achieve anything before and after their retirement,” and “The court judgment is long overdue; governor please act fast.”
Having exited public service over thirteen years ago, the group’s chairman, Omoniyi Ilesanmi, and secretary, Sola Olojede, emphasized the need for the state government to pay their gratuities in bulk rather than in small installments.
“It has been over thirteen years since we left service, yet our gratuities have only been paid piecemeal, which barely covers our basic needs. We appeal for the balance of our gratuities to be paid in bulk on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing us to enjoy the time left in our lives,” they stated.
Comrade Awodele Abiodun, the state leader and adviser of Osun contributory pensioners, refuted claims that the state government has cleared all outstanding payments. He criticized Governor Ademola Adeleke for only making minimal payments throughout 2023.
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He stated, “The governor only made a single payment covering a small number of beneficiaries. In 2024, the state government released N4.9 billion in April/May and another N3.3 billion in November, leaving many pensioners in severe financial distress.”
Throughout 2025, Abiodun noted that only N4 billion was released, failing to address the needs of a significant portion of unbonded pensioners. He added that bond beneficiaries from 2017-2025 are still waiting without any assurance of payments.
“Our records show that primary school retirees from 2017-2025, local government retirees from 2023-2025, and secondary school and tertiary contributory pensioners from 2020-2025 are still on the waiting list without support,” he explained.
Addressing the issue of half salary arrears, Abiodun stated that the state government has only cleared 28 months of half salary for unbonded pensioners but still owes 16 months for the bonded pensioners.
“We appeal to humane individuals worldwide to urge Governor Ademola Adeleke to prioritize our well-being by settling all outstanding bonds as promised during the last gubernatorial campaign. This is now three years into his administration, and our community is suffering immensely,” he said.
Abiodun stated that the monthly palliative of N10,000 provided to both bonded and unbonded pensioners is insufficient to meet their needs. “We plea for better support, as our situation has become desperate,” he added.
