The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

The union directed pensioners across the country to mobilise and vote massively for the President in appreciation of what it described as his administration’s commitment to the welfare of retirees.

 

The endorsement came on Wednesday in Abuja during the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners’ Legacy House, a newly constructed multi-purpose hall and apartment complex at the union’s national headquarters.

 

The edifice was commissioned by Kano state governor, Abba Yusuf.

 

Speaking at the event, NUP National President, Mazi Godwin Abumisi, praised Tinubu’s administration for approving pension increases, clearing pension arrears and settling accrued rights, which he said had significantly improved the welfare of pensioners nationwide.

 

Abumisi said the union would not forget the President’s goodwill towards retirees and would reciprocate it with overwhelming support at the polls.

 

“We express our profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration for providing an enabling environment for Nigerian pensioners and our union through his sustained approval for a series of pension increases, payment of pension arrears and accrued rights, which has consequently energised our resource base,” he said.

 

“We shall never forget this goodwill in a hurry, as we also promise to reciprocate the kind gesture at the appropriate time soonest”, he said.

 

The declaration drew loud applause from pensioners and labour leaders at the ceremony, effectively signalling the union’s support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

 

Abumisi urged pensioners nationwide to remain united and continue supporting the administration, insisting that the President had demonstrated genuine concern for senior citizens through policies aimed at improving their living conditions.

 

The NUP president also used the occasion to reflect on the completion of the Legacy House project, describing it as a major milestone and a fulfilment of his administration’s commitment to leave the union stronger than it met it.

 

According to him, the project was conceived after the union acquired the land in 2019 under the leadership of former National President, Dr. Abel Afolayan, and was prioritised by his administration as a lasting symbol of unity and pride for pensioners.

 

“In my vision to leave the union better than I met it, I made the construction of this Legacy House the topmost priority of my administration to serve as a symbol of unity and pride for the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and pensioners across the country,” he said.

 

Abumisi disclosed that the union had immortalised several personalities who contributed to the growth of the organisation and the successful completion of the project.

 

He announced that two of the top apartments in the complex had been named after Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, in recognition of their support to the union during its 2025 National Delegates Conference in Kano.

 

He revealed that other apartments were named after former NUP presidents, Chief Laleye Adegun and Alhaji Ali Abatcha, while the 200-seat auditorium was named after Dr. Abel Afolayan in honour of his contributions to the union.

 

Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Omolola Bridget Oloworaran, described the facility as more than just a physical structure, saying it represented vision, institutional strength and a long-term commitment to the welfare of pensioners.

 

“This is not just a building. It is a reminder of the work that the NUP continues to do for Nigerian pensioners,” she said.

 

Oloworaran commended the union’s leadership for successfully delivering the project and assured pensioners of PenCom’s continued support in advancing their welfare and financial security.

 

She praised President Tinubu’s commitment to pension reforms and the welfare of retirees.

 

“We also have a President who doesn’t joke with the plight of the ordinary man, who has the back of all pensioners, who continues to fight for pensioners and do all that he can to put more money in the hands of pensioners. He has put pensioners at the very top of his priority list,” she said.

 

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, described the completion of the Legacy House as a significant achievement and a testament to the resilience and collective strength of pensioners despite prevailing economic challenges.

 

He said the project demonstrated that organised labour and pensioners could achieve remarkable results through unity and determination.

 

While congratulating the union, the NLC president called for stronger advocacy on pensioners’ welfare and announced that labour would push for the establishment of a national minimum pension alongside ongoing efforts to secure a review of the national minimum wage.

 

“It is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active service. We are going to table demands not just for a national minimum wage but also for a national minimum pension,” he said.

 

Ajaero argued that rising living costs had made it imperative for government to review pension benefits to ensure retirees live in dignity.

 

“The cost of living has skyrocketed. Food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly expensive. We cannot allow the pensions of senior citizens to remain at poverty levels,” he added.

 

He urged pensioners to remain organised and united, stressing that the struggle for improved welfare for retirees remained a shared responsibility between the NLC and NUP.