Oyo Pensioners Accuse LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Emmanuel Alayande Varsity Of Defying Makinde’s Pension Directive, Threaten Protest
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The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Council, on Monday accused the managements of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, of allegedly disobeying Governor Seyi Makinde’s directive on the implementation of pension increases for retired workers.
The union described the action as “a gross act of insubordination to constituted authority” and threatened to commence an indefinite protest in the affected institutions from August 18 if the directive was not implemented.
Speaking during a press conference held at the union’s secretariat in Agbarigo, Ibadan, the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Council, Comrade (Dr.) Olusegun Abatan, said Governor Makinde had, in January 2026, approved an upward review of pensions for retirees across the state.
Abatan said, “His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, after due consultations with our union, directed that the least-paid pensioner in Oyo State should earn N25,000 monthly with effect from January 2026. He also approved the implementation of the 33 per cent pension increase, the 2019 consequential adjustment, the 20 per cent pension increase of January 2024 and the balance of N17,500 approved in August 2024 for qualified pensioners.”
He added, “Every other pension-paying organ of government complied with the governor’s directive without waiting for any circular because they believed that any directive from the Governor is law and must be obeyed. Unfortunately, some tertiary institutions chose to ignore the directive.”
According to him, the managements of Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-Ora, and recently Michael Adeniyi Koleoso Polytechnic, Shaki, had complied with the directive after engagements with the union.
He, however, alleged that the managements of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education had refused to implement the approved pension review despite repeated appeals.
Abatan said, “We wrote several letters to the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH and the management of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education. Rather than implement the governor’s directive, we were subjected to unnecessary delays and postponements. We have waited for about 19 months for our members’ pensions to be upgraded.”
He disclosed that the management of Michael Adeniyi Koleoso Polytechnic had approved the implementation of the pension increase while preparations for the press conference were ongoing.
“Just as I was preparing for this press conference, pleasant news came in that the management of Michael Adeniyi Koleoso Polytechnic, Shaki, had approved the implementation of the pension increases and commenced payment from July 2026. We commend the institution for doing the right thing,” he said.
The union secretary urged the remaining institutions to emulate those that had already complied with the governor’s directive.
He said, “The Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH and the Vice-Chancellor of Emmanuel Alayande University should climb down from their high horses and learn from the managements of Michael Koleoso Polytechnic, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Oyo State College of Education and OYSCATECH on how they successfully implemented the pension review.”
Abatan further alleged that the two institutions had implemented the new minimum wage and other welfare packages for serving workers without extending similar benefits to pensioners.
He said, “When Governor Makinde approved the N50,000 Christmas bonus for pensioners, these institutions implemented it without asking for any circular. When he also approved the N10,000 fuel subsidy palliative, they complied. Why then are they insisting on a circular before implementing pension increases?”
He added, “LAUTECH and Emmanuel Alayande University implemented the minimum wage for their workers but deliberately left out pensioners. This is contrary to Sections 173(3) and 210(3) of the Constitution, which provide that pensions should be reviewed whenever workers’ salaries are increased.”
Announcing the union’s next line of action, Abatan said protests would begin simultaneously at the two institutions from August 18.
He stated, “The State Executive Council of our union has directed that from Tuesday, August 18, 2026, a massive protest will commence at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo. Pensioners from ministries, departments and agencies, as well as retired local government and primary school teachers in those areas, will join the protest because an injury to one is an injury to all.”
The union also threatened to seek the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Abatan said, “We shall be requesting the Nigeria Labour Congress to declare a three-day warning strike in both institutions because a worker today is a pensioner tomorrow.”
He maintained that the planned protests were not intended to embarrass Governor Makinde’s administration.
“We shall formally notify His Excellency of our decision because our actions are not meant to embarrass his pensioner-friendly administration. Rather, they are aimed at compelling the managements of LAUTECH and Emmanuel Alayande University to obey the governor’s directive. Our protests will continue until our demands are met,” he added.
