By Joy Baba-Yesufu
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme (NUPCPS) has welcomed the Federal Executive Council’s approval of a gratuity payment as an exit benefit for federal civil servants, describing the move as a major step toward strengthening retirement security for public servants.
The union, a sector of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), also commended the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF) for concluding the work of the technical committee that recommended the restoration of gratuity payments.
In a statement jointly signed by the National Chairman, Comrade Sylva C. Nwaiwu, and National Secretary, Comrade Bisan John, the union noted that the decision marks a significant policy shift, coming 22 years after the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
According to the union, the reintroduction of gratuity is expected to complement the existing pension structure and provide an additional financial cushion for civil servants upon retirement.
However, the group called on the Federal Government to ensure that civil servants who retired under the CPS since 2007 are not excluded from the new policy.
The statement pointed out that although the approved gratuity scheme is expected to take effect from January 1, 2026, thousands of federal workers who had already retired under the contributory pension framework may not benefit unless specific provisions are made.
The union therefore urged the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to consider the interests of retirees who left service between 2007 and the present, when developing the detailed implementation guidelines for the scheme.
According to the statement, gratuity payments are intended to serve as a strategic enhancement to the Contributory Pension Scheme, providing retirees with a stronger financial safety net and improving long-term income security for civil servants in treasury-funded Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies.
While awaiting the release of comprehensive implementation guidelines, the union expressed hope that the Federal Government would adopt a framework that ensures fairness and inclusivity for both current and former civil servants.
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We are hoping this government will come and consider our inclusive to benefit from the the new good policy as gratuity were stoped at the introduction of CPS in 2004 and now the restoration has shown we are excluded this means the retirees of 2007 to 2025 are left in between without benefiting from gratuity of both pre CPS and CPS gratuities. I believe this present government will do something . We CPS retirees have to thank this government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu for all relief pension laws implementation. We are strongly hoping inclusive in the new CPS exit benefit .