L

KEY POINTS

• BOUESTI pensioners say August pension remains unpaid.
• Retirees demand July balance, gratuities and wage arrears.
• Pensioners appeal to Oyebanji to intervene urgently.

Pensioners of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, BOUESTI, have appealed to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to urgently intervene in the payment of their outstanding pensions, gratuities and other retirement benefits.

The retirees made the appeal in a letter dated September 7, 2026, addressed to the governor and signed by the Chairman of the BOUESTI Pensioners Association, Dr Kola Ajaja, and the association’s Public Relations Officer, Alao Odeyemi.

The pensioners said the prolonged delay in the payment of their entitlements had subjected many retired workers to severe financial hardship, particularly as they depend largely on their monthly pensions to cater for healthcare, medication, food and other basic needs.

According to the association, its members are yet to receive their pension for August 2026, while only half of the July pension has so far been paid.

The pensioners said the situation had created serious difficulties for retirees who rely on their monthly payments as their primary source of income.

They warned that the continued delay was worsening the living conditions of elderly former workers, many of whom now struggle to afford essential medication and medical treatment.

The association appealed to the governor to ensure that the outstanding 50 per cent of the July pension and the entire August pension are paid without further delay.

Retirees Seek Payment of Gratuities and Wage Arrears

Beyond the unpaid monthly pensions, the pensioners also alleged that BOUESTI had failed to settle outstanding gratuities owed to retired members of the institution.

They further demanded the payment of arrears arising from the implementation of the new minimum wage and the 20–28 per cent increase in pensions.

The association also accused the university of failing to implement the 2019 consequential adjustment in pensions for its retired workers.

According to the pensioners, these outstanding obligations have accumulated over time, leaving many retirees in difficult financial circumstances.

The retirees said the payment delays were having serious consequences for the welfare of their members.

They alleged that some pensioners had suffered ill-health as a result of their inability to adequately meet their medical needs, while others had reportedly died prematurely.

The association stressed that many retired workers have no significant source of income apart from their pensions and therefore depend on timely payments to survive.

It urged the state government to treat the matter as an urgent welfare issue, particularly because of the age and vulnerability of the affected retirees.

The BOUESTI Pensioners Association listed five major demands which it wants the state government and university authorities to address.

The demands include the immediate payment of the full August 2026 pension, settlement of the remaining 50 per cent of the July pension and payment of arrears arising from the new minimum wage and pension increase.

The pensioners also demanded the implementation of the 2019 consequential adjustment in pensions and the settlement of all outstanding gratuities owed to retired members.