Retirees of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have issued a stern warning, threatening to initiate a nationwide shutdown of seaports if their long-standing demands for unpaid pension increments are not met. The Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners Welfare Association stated that the protest would commence seven days after the publication of their notice.

The core of their grievance lies in the NPA's alleged failure to implement the constitutionally mandated pension increase, which should occur every five years. This statutory review has reportedly been outstanding since 2008, leaving pensioners without the expected adjustments to their retirement benefits.

The association highlighted the dire living conditions faced by many retirees, particularly in the current economic climate. They stated that a significant portion of NPA pensioners earn meager monthly sums, with over 50% receiving between N30,000 and N50,000, while only a few receive up to N100,000.

Pensioners argue that the increments applied by the authority, ranging arbitrarily between 3% and 11.5%, fall far short of legal requirements and do not align with the agency's status as a first-grade parastatal, comparable to the NNPC.

The association also addressed past leadership disputes, asserting that these have been resolved through court rulings, and the body now operates with a unified voice. They believe this perceived disunity may have contributed to the authorities' inaction on their demands over the years.