What many thought would never come has finally come.
After more than two decades of agony, empty promises and graves dug before justice, President Bola Tinubu has broken the jinx — releasing N18 billion in severance benefits to 2,700 forgotten workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways.
And on Monday, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, erupted in praise.
23 Years of Pain, Hunger and Death Before Payday
For years, they waited. Former pilots, engineers, air hostesses and ground staff who gave their youth to the national carrier watched life crush them.
In a statement on Monday, NUP National President, Godwin Abumisi, described the payment as a long-awaited relief that came after endless press statements, open letters and cries to Aso Rock.
“Justice delayed but finally delivered,” the union declared.
Many beneficiaries, the NUP lamented, could not afford drugs, food or school fees. Many died waiting. Their entitlements never reached them.
Tears Turn To Praise As NUP Hails Tinubu
The union hailed President Tinubu, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit for driving the verification and payment.
The NUP also commended the President for the simultaneous payment of N1.1 billion Additional Exit Benefits to 175 retirees of Treasury-funded MDAs who left service between January 1 and August 31, 2026.
According to the pensioners, it is proof that government can work when it chooses to.
“Finish What You Started” – NUP Begs President
But the celebration came with a passionate plea.
The NUP begged Tinubu to ensure no genuine worker is left behind — calling for a mop-up verification to capture those with wrong bank details and those still unresolved.
It also demanded that entitlements of dead workers be paid to their next-of-kin.
And in a reminder that pain still lingers, the union renewed its appeal for the three-month N25,000 palliative promised to pensioners after fuel subsidy removal in 2023 — three years on, still unpaid.
“Pension is not charity. Gratuity is not a favour. It is earned blood and sweat,” the NUP said.
