Lagos Police Use Tear Gas on Pension Protesters

The Lagos State Police Command used tear gas on August 31 and September 1, 2026, to disperse retired civil servants protesting at the Lagos State Government Secretariat and Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja. The demonstrators, organized by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme, converged after a 19-day ultimatum to the state government expired.

Protesters accused Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of failing to release outstanding pension increases and wage awards. Some retirees claimed they receive as little as N10,000 monthly despite 35 years of service. In response, the Lagos State Pension Commission stated the government has paid N168 billion to approximately 48,000 pensioners. The Lagos State Retirees Association rejected this figure, calling it a diversionary attempt and arguing the funds were contributions rather than government gifts.

Following the police action on Monday, the National Union of Pensioners under Contributory Pension Scheme vowed to occupy government premises indefinitely. Tensions remained high on September 1 as police again deployed tear gas to break up a second day of demonstrations. The pensioners expressed dissatisfaction with the use of force, maintaining that their agitation focuses on legal entitlements and welfare.