Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) pensioners in Lagos State have threatened to embark on protests if the state government fails to implement their long-awaited pension enhancement and wage award before the expiration of a 19-day ultimatum.

The pensioners, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme (NUPCPS), Lagos State Council, said the protest has been tentatively fixed for August 31, 2026, warning that members would take to the streets if the government does not credit their accounts with the approved pension increases.

Chairman of the Lagos State NUPCPS, Michael Omisande, announced the planned protest after a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Sunkanmi Oyegbola, which was also attended by the Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Babalola Obilana, and the Commission’s Executive Director (Finance), Muyiwa Oshin.

Omisande urged members of the union to prepare for the protest, describing it as a necessary sacrifice to secure their financial emancipation.

“It is a sacrifice we must all make for our financial emancipation. I strongly believe the money can be paid if the government truly wants to pay within the stipulated time frame,” he said.

He explained that the union had earlier written to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, giving the state government a 19-day ultimatum to implement the pension increase and wage award or face mass protest by pensioners across the state.

According to him, the union leadership met with officials of the Public Service Office on August 3 to discuss what it described as the prolonged delay in implementing the pension enhancement for CPS retirees.

Omisande recalled that the implementation template was submitted to the Lagos State Government in January 2026, while LASPEC subsequently informed the union that approval had been granted to engage an actuary to work out the implementation modalities.

He said discussions during the meeting centred on LASPEC’s slow pace in actualising the pension increase, wage award and improved welfare package for pensioners.

Addressing the meeting, LASPEC Director-General, Babalola Obilana, disclosed that Governor Sanwo-Olu had summoned him and issued directives on the pension increase but did not specify when implementation would commence.

Omisande also revealed that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police had been notified of the planned protest to ensure adequate security during the demonstration.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Council, Agnes Sessi, who was present at the meeting, expressed support for the pensioners and appealed to the Permanent Secretary and LASPEC management to expedite action on implementing the pension increase and wage award.

The union added that its national leadership has endorsed the Lagos State Council’s position and backed the planned protest should the government fail to meet the pensioners’ demands within the ultimatum period.