Organised Labour in Ogun State has declared that it will no longer engage in dialogue with any government official except the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, over the ongoing industrial strike sparked by the controversial Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The union leaders made this demand during a media parliament held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Iwe Iroyin, in Abeokuta. They stated unequivocally that only the governor, as the chief executive and approving authority, can address their concerns satisfactorily.
The indefinite strike action, which commenced recently, was triggered by the state government’s failure to remit workers’ contributions under the CPS. Labour leaders also demanded the immediate suspension of the State Pension Reform Law, which they described as a failed policy.
According to the unions, successive administrations have defaulted on the scheme for 17 years, with over ₦82 billion yet to be remitted into workers’ retirement savings accounts. They said the law has lost its credibility and usefulness.
Comrade Hameed-Benco Ademola, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), lamented the repeated failure of government officials to address the pension crisis, despite multiple written and verbal engagements over the years.
He said labour had initially believed that the current administration would take concrete steps to scrap or reform the CPS but was shocked to see the issue resurface at the 2024 May Day celebration without any meaningful progress.
“That bill has no future. It failed from the day it was introduced. We’ve written letters, held meetings, and even pleaded — all to no avail. The scheme should not apply to any worker already in service before 2008 when it was introduced,” Hameed-Benco stressed.
He noted that the unions would no longer entertain any form of negotiation through intermediaries, insisting that only a direct meeting with Governor Abiodun would be accepted going forward.
“They’re now calling us for meetings, but we’re done with that. We are not meeting any commissioner or head of service. Only the governor — the person who approves our salaries — can sit with us now,” he declared.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ogun State, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, described the Contributory Pension Scheme as a “colossal failure” that should be abandoned immediately.
Lasisi outlined how the scheme had failed from inception, noting that past governors — Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun — defaulted after partial remittances, while the current administration under Dapo Abiodun has not contributed a single naira.
“The scheme failed from the start. Governor Daniel left office owing some months. Governor Amosun came in, paid for only nine months, and then defaulted. Governor Abiodun, since assuming office, has not paid a single kobo,” Lasisi stated.
He cited the law governing the CPS, which mandates remittance of deducted funds into workers’ retirement accounts within seven working days, lamenting that the Ogun State government has failed to comply for over 14 years.
“The law says remit within seven working days. But for 14 years — and counting — not a dime has been paid into individual workers’ retirement savings accounts. It’s an open violation,” he added.
The union leaders said the ongoing strike would continue indefinitely until their demands are met, including the full remittance of outstanding funds and a comprehensive reform or suspension of the CPS.
They urged the governor to show leadership and accountability by engaging with workers directly and resolving the crisis once and for all.
