Pensioners in Lagos on Monday staged a protest at the Lagos House in Ikeja over the delayed implementation of pension increases, wage awards and other outstanding benefits, with the demonstration turning tense after police officers reportedly used tear gas to disperse the retirees.

The protesters, comprising pensioners under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), had earlier issued an August 31 deadline to the Lagos State Government to address their demands.

The retirees have been demanding the implementation of a pension enhancement and wage award, arguing that the delay has placed further financial pressure on elderly pensioners amid rising living costs.

The protest followed an earlier warning demonstration by hundreds of Lagos pensioners on August 24. At the time, the protesters said they would mobilise for a larger demonstration at Alausa if the government failed to respond positively to their demands by August 31.

The pensioners said they had engaged officials of the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) over the matter but accused the authorities of delaying action despite previous assurances.

The chairman of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme, Michael Omisande, had earlier said the union submitted a template for the implementation of the pension enhancement to the state government in January 2026.

He said the pensioners were subsequently informed that approval had been given for an actuary to be engaged, but complained that no further action had been taken.

The pensioners consequently gave the government an ultimatum, warning that failure to implement the increase and wage award would lead to a larger protest.

However, Monday’s demonstration at Lagos House reportedly escalated when police officers deployed tear gas to disperse the protesting retirees.

The development adds a fresh layer to the ongoing disagreement between the pensioners and the Lagos State Government over pension payments and benefits.

The state government, through LASPEC, has maintained that it has made significant payments to retirees. In a statement reported by PUNCH, the government said LASPEC had paid N168.2 billion to more than 48,000 retirees since 2007, including N92 billion in accrued rights to over 25,000 retirees between May 2019 and August 2026.

LASPEC also said the state had cleared outstanding pension obligations under the Contributory Pension Scheme with a N5 billion payment to 1,963 retirees in July 2024, while it highlighted other pension and welfare interventions for retirees.

However, the pensioners’ central complaint remains the delayed implementation of the latest pension enhancement and wage award they say they are entitled to.

The latest protest is therefore likely to increase pressure on the Lagos State Government to resolve the dispute with the retirees and prevent further confrontation over the outstanding demands.