Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Police officers on Monday, August 31, 2026, fired teargas canisters at pensioners who had gathered at the Lagos House in Ikeja to demand the payment of outstanding pension arrears, approved pension increases, and wage awards. The demonstration, which was organised by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme, was disrupted as officers deployed teargas to disperse the crowd, forcing many of the elderly demonstrators to flee the premises.
The protest was the culmination of weeks of mounting frustration. Pensioners had issued Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu an ultimatum to implement the pension increases and wage awards by August 31, warning they would stage what they described as the "mother of all protests" if their demands were not met. They also demanded the payment of outstanding pension arrears and other benefits they said had remained unpaid for months.
Members of the NUP and CPS gathered at the government premises on Monday morning to press their demands and seek government intervention. They argued that delays in receiving their benefits had placed many retirees under severe financial pressure, particularly amid rising living costs. The pensioners maintained that their protest was focused on the implementation of pension-related increases and the payment of accumulated arrears.
The demonstration took a dramatic turn when police officers reportedly fired teargas at the pensioners. The action heightened tension at the scene, as the retirees expressed dissatisfaction over the use of force against them while they were peacefully seeking payment of their entitlements.
Following the use of teargas, the pensioners vowed to occupy the Alausa Government House indefinitely until their grievances were addressed. The protesters said the use of teargas had forced them to abandon their initial plan for a peaceful demonstration and resolve to remain at the government premises until their demands were met.
One of the pensioners said that after 35 years of active service, the state government had paid retirees from Grade Levels 1 to 6 but left those who retired at higher levels with adjusted arrears. He alleged that the government was delaying the payment of the outstanding entitlements until another administration, despite the hardship being faced by current pensioners. "This is a state that prides itself as the Centre of Excellence, but it is now becoming a centre of abuse," the pensioner said.
Chairman of the National Union of Pensioners under Contributory Pension Scheme, Lagos State Council, Michael Omisande, said the union had formally warned the governor to credit pensioners' accounts with the outstanding payments. He said the pensioners had served the state for many years and should not be subjected to hardship before receiving their lawful entitlements. "Having spent many years serving the state government, it would not be fair that we are being subjected to untold pains to receive our entitlements," he said. "We warned the government, but they tear-gassed us. The protest is now indefinite until our demands are met."
The protest followed growing concerns among pensioners over delays in the payment of their entitlements, a situation that has left many retirees struggling to cope with the rising cost of living in Lagos State. The pensioners' vow to occupy the Government House indefinitely signals an escalation of the dispute, as the Lagos State Government faces mounting pressure to address the grievances of its retired civil servants.
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