The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, has urged the Nigerian government to declare a state of emergency on social welfare. He raised this call during a church committee meeting, emphasizing the need for immediate attention to the most vulnerable groups in society.
Archbishop Ndukuba particularly highlighted the challenges faced by pensioners, urging the National Assembly to make it illegal to delay pension payments. He stressed that many elderly citizens are struggling due to the lack of timely and adequate financial support.
The Archbishop expressed concern about the continuous verification process for pensioners, which has become an exhausting and frustrating experience for many. He also pointed out that the Nigerian Constitution mandates a review of pensions every five years, but this provision has not been consistently followed.
On a positive note, Ndukuba praised President Bola Tinubu and Nigerian workers for the newly signed N70,000 minimum wage law. However, he stressed that the government should extend this benefit to pensioners, many of whom are living on very low incomes that barely cover their basic needs.
He said,
“We urge the National Assembly to criminalise the non-payment of pensions to entitled persons as and when due.
“Attention should also be paid to the most vulnerable segments of the society, particularly, the unemployed, the aged, young unemployed, or skilled male and female adults.
“The latter is the engine room of every society. There is therefore, an urgent need for an articulation of appropriate policy and programmes to cater for this often-forgotten segment of the population or imperil the future of the country.
“When you see the numbers on our streets, you will agree that the need is urgent. A declaration of emergency in social welfare in Nigeria may not be out of place,”
The call for a state of emergency on social welfare highlights the need for reforms in how Nigeria supports its unemployed, elderly, and vulnerable citizens. Ensuring that pensions are paid on time and providing programs for those without jobs can improve the quality of life for many Nigerians.
