Retirees of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government and NPA management, threatening to shut down seaports nationwide over more than 16 years of unpaid pension benefits.
The warning was delivered in a statement released on Sunday by the Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners Welfare Association, led by its president, Charles Ayo Binitie.
The group said it would commence mass protest actions if their demands are not addressed within the stipulated timeframe.
At the center of the dispute is the alleged failure of NPA management to implement the constitutionally mandated five-year pension increment, which the association claims has not been applied since 2008.
Binitie stated that the situation has left many retirees in financial distress, particularly amid rising inflation and economic hardship in Nigeria.
According to him, only a small fraction of pensioners earn up to ₦100,000 monthly, while over half receive between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000—amounts he described as grossly inadequate for basic living and healthcare needs.
The association cited Section 173(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees periodic pension reviews, arguing that NPA’s current payment structure falls short of legal requirements.
Binitie further alleged that instead of complying with statutory provisions, the agency has implemented arbitrary increases ranging between 3 and 11.5 percent, without proper alignment to wage adjustments for serving employees.
The pensioners revealed that multiple appeals have been made to key government bodies, including the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the presidency through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, but no concrete action has been taken.
He also accused the NPA of failing to submit necessary documentation to the wages commission for over 15 years, thereby stalling any formal review process.
Addressing concerns about internal divisions, Binitie dismissed claims of factionalisation within the association, stating that all leadership disputes have been resolved through court rulings.
He referenced judgments from the Lagos High Court in Ikeja and a magistrate court in Apapa, which affirmed his position as the legitimate president of the association following a prolonged legal battle.
The association has called on the federal government to compel the NPA to settle outstanding pension arrears and implement all due increments, including those tied to the 2024 minimum wage adjustments.
With tensions rising, the threatened shutdown of Nigeria’s seaports could pose significant risks to trade, logistics, and the broader economy if swift action is not taken.