NARSGON NEWS PORTAL

The National Association of Retirees of State Government has threatened a nationwide protest unless state governors urgently review pension payments in line with the Nigerian labour laws.

The association also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish a Ministry for Pension Affairs to guarantee annual budgetary allocations dedicated to pensioners' welfare across the country.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Bayelsa State Interim Executive in Yenagoa, the President of the Union, Comrade Simon Anchaver, expressed concern over what he described as arbitrary pension payments by some state governments.

Anchaver commended the Governor of Nasarawa State for releasing ₦7 billion to clear pension arrears and gratuities and urged other governors who are lagging behind to emulate the gesture in the interest of retired workers.

According to him, pensioners who have dedicated decades of their lives to public service deserve dignity, financial security, and timely payment of their entitlements.

Speaking at the event, the National Secretary of the Union, Comrade Bipre Ndiomu, disclosed that NARSGON is a newly registered and gazetted trade union currently inaugurating state executives and admitting members across the federation.

He urged state governments to put effective modalities in place to guarantee the welfare of pensioners nationwide, stressing that retirees should not be subjected to hardship after years of meritorious service.

The Bayelsa State Head of Service, Dr. Wisdom Sawyer, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Training and Pension Bureau, Dr. Charles Enuma, encouraged the newly inaugurated executives to serve as a bridge between retirees and government.

He assured members that the Bayelsa State Government remains open to constructive engagement on outstanding pension and welfare issues affecting retirees in the state.

The newly inaugurated State Chairman, Elder Bazigha Tanwei, accepted the mandate and pledged to operate an open-door administration characterized by transparency, regular consultations with members, and sustained advocacy with government authorities to clear pension arrears.

Newly Inaugurated Bayelsa State Interim Executive

• Elder Bazigha Tanwei – Chairman
• Chief Patrick Weridongha – Vice Chairman
• Engr. Tiekuro Ndiomu – Secretary
• Comrade Bibobra Erebi – Woman Coordinator
• Feubodei Ebiowei Francis – Public Relations Officer
• Hon. Vivian Nagha – Treasurer
• Sokari Philomina Mubai – Financial Secretary
• Kuroekigha Christian – Auditor
• Engr. Teibowei Ojobo D. – Welfare Officer
• Thomas-Etelle Ephraim – Ex-Officio
• Mockiya Owen P. – Executive Member
• Yakiah Patience – Executive Member

The inauguration marks another milestone in NARSGON's nationwide expansion efforts as the association continues to strengthen its presence across all states and advocate for the welfare, rights, and interests of retired state government workers throughout Nigeria.

The National Association of Retirees of State Government of Nigeria (NARSGON) has reaffirmed its legal status as a duly registered trade union and urged Secretaries to State Governments and Heads of Service across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to accord the association full recognition in line with extant labour laws.

In a formal correspondence signed by the General Secretary of NARSGON, Comrade Ndiomu J.B., the association responded to a letter issued by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) with Reference Number: NUP/NHQ/GC/NO.1/VOL.3, dated 28th April, 2026, which reportedly requested government authorities to disregard and deny official recognition to NARSGON on the grounds that the association was allegedly illegal.

According to NARSGON, the claims contained in the NUP letter are contradictory and fail to acknowledge the statutory powers vested in the Registrar of Trade Unions. The association noted that NUP itself admitted in its correspondence that the Registrar, acting with the approval of the Minister of Labour and Employment, possesses the authority to register new trade unions, regroup existing unions, and reorganize labour structures whenever it is deemed expedient under the law.

NARSGON maintained that its registration was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Trade Unions Act, Cap T14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and that all necessary legal procedures were duly followed before the union was formally registered and gazetted by the Federal Government.

The association further stated that despite acknowledging the existence of the official gazette, NUP did not raise any formal objection to the registration process at the appropriate time.

Addressing concerns over jurisdictional overlap, NARSGON emphasized that its membership scope differs significantly from that of NUP. The association pointed out that under Rule 3 of the NUP Constitution, membership covers retirees from federal establishments, local governments, statutory corporations, educational institutions under federal responsibility, and private sector pensioners.

In contrast, Article 3 of the NARSGON Constitution specifically limits membership to retirees from state government services, agencies, organizations, and establishments within the states and the FCT.

The association also responded to allegations regarding the collection of check-off dues and the issue of voluntary membership. NARSGON argued that the principle of automatic membership upon retirement is not peculiar to the association, noting that similar provisions exist within the constitution of NUP itself.

Furthermore, NARSGON stressed that the legal authority to determine the status of a trade union rests solely with the Registrar of Trade Unions and not with any labour organization.

Consequently, NARSGON appealed to all State Governments, Heads of Service, and relevant public institutions to honour communications from the Registrar of Trade Unions regarding the association's registration and to facilitate the deduction and remittance of check-off dues where applicable.

The association also called for partnership and collaboration aimed at promoting the welfare, rights, and interests of retired state government workers throughout Nigeria.

The letter concluded with an expression of confidence that adherence to due process, respect for labour laws, and institutional cooperation would foster industrial harmony and improve the wellbeing of retirees across the country.

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Reference: NUP/NHQ/GC/NO.1/VOL.3

Date of NUP Letter: April 28, 2026

Subject: Request for the Facilitation of Collecting Check-Off Dues from 1–36 States Inclusive of the FCT

Signed: Comrade Ndiomu J.B., General Secretary, NARSGON