Retired workers from the liquidated Nigerian Airways have intensified their appeals for a resolution to the pension crisis that has plagued them for over two decades. In a crucial meeting in Abuja, representatives of the Association of Airways Retired Workers of Nigeria (AARWN) engaged with the leadership of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to chart a path forward.
A Decades-Long Struggle for Pension Recognition
The core of the discussion focused on the long-pending demand to onboard the former airline staff onto the federal government's pension payroll. This issue has remained unresolved since the national carrier was liquidated in the early 2000s. Many of these retirees contributed under the old Defined Benefit Scheme but have since faced prolonged exclusion from regular pension payments, leading to severe financial difficulties.
Presenting their case, the AARWN delegation, led by its Chairman, Onuh Stephen, and including representative Ahmed Sulu Gambari, appealed to PTAD for support. They argued that a significant number of their members were duly verified and recognised as pensioners before Nigerian Airways' liquidation and should therefore not be denied their rightful entitlements.
PTAD's Response: Empathy Within Legal Limits
In response, PTAD's Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, acknowledged the legitimacy of the retirees' concerns and expressed deep empathy for their plight. She reiterated PTAD's commitment to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of all pensioners under its supervision.
However, Odunaiya clarified a critical constraint. She explained that PTAD operates strictly within its statutory mandate and lacks the legal authority to independently verify or onboard new pensioners without formal approval and directives from the appropriate government authorities. While PTAD administers pensions for agencies under the Defined Benefit Scheme, the process for adding new pensioners must follow due process and receive approval from relevant institutions to ensure transparency and legality.
"PTAD remains open to supporting any lawful process that aligns with its mandate and promotes fairness to affected retirees," Odunaiya stated, stressing that pension administration must be guided by statutory provisions.
The Path Forward and Renewed Hope
Odunaiya advised the association to sustain its engagement with relevant authorities, including government ministries and oversight bodies, to secure the necessary approvals. The meeting, detailed in a statement by PTAD's Head of Corporate Communications, Olugbenga Ajayi, highlights the ongoing agitation among pensioners of defunct government-owned enterprises.
The AARWN leadership expressed appreciation for PTAD's openness to dialogue. They affirmed their commitment to pursuing all legitimate channels peacefully, urging the Federal Government to bring closure to the matter for the sake of justice and social protection for workers who served the nation.
As discussions continue, the retirees hold onto hope that ongoing pension reforms and renewed attention to legacy obligations will finally translate into concrete action, allowing them to access their long-overdue entitlements.
