Retirement is expected to provide a period of rest and security after years of service. However, for many retired education workers in Ekiti State, delayed pensions and outstanding entitlements have turned what should be a comfortable phase of life into a struggle for survival.
It is against this backdrop that retired staff members of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), have appealed to Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for urgent intervention over unpaid pensions and other outstanding entitlements.
In a letter dated September 7, 2026, and signed by the Chairman of the BOUESTI Pensioners Association, Dr. Kola Ajaja, and the Public Relations Officer, Alao Odeyemi, the retirees outlined a number of unresolved financial obligations affecting their members.
Among their demands are the full payment of the August 2026 pension, settlement of the remaining 50 per cent arrears of the July pension, payment of arrears arising from the new minimum wage and the 20–28 per cent pension increase, implementation of the 2019 consequential pension adjustment, and the payment of outstanding gratuities.
The retirees say the issue goes beyond figures and financial records. According to them, the delays have created serious challenges for many former staff members who depend almost entirely on their pensions for survival.
The association stated that prolonged delays in payments have exposed pensioners to financial hardship and health complications, with some members struggling to afford medication and other essential needs.
The pensioners also expressed concern that the situation has contributed to avoidable suffering among retirees, particularly elderly members facing age-related health conditions.
In their appeal, they noted that timely intervention by the governor would help pensioners meet their healthcare obligations and other basic welfare needs while preventing further hardship.
The retirees said they chose the path of dialogue rather than public protest because of their confidence in the governor’s leadership and willingness to address their concerns.
“We have chosen to send this appeal to you rather than embark on public protests because we believe that you will answer our prayers with utmost urgency,” the association stated.
The appeal highlights a broader conversation about the welfare of retired education workers and the importance of ensuring that those who spent decades contributing to the development of the education sector are able to enjoy financial security in retirement.
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