‘Give us pension increase before you leave office’ – Ogun retired principals beg Gov Abiodun

The Association of Retired Principals of Secondary Schools of Nigeria, ARPSSON, Ogun State chapter, has appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to implement a consequential increase in pensions before leaving office in 2027.

The president of the association, Comrade Segun Obadimu, made the appeal on Friday during its 2026 Annual State Congress held at Graceland Event Centre, Ayepe Road, Sagamu.

Obadimu said current pension payments could no longer meet retirees’ needs in view of prevailing economic realities.

“Our message to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who has been doing well for pensioners, is to actualise the consequential increase in our pensions. What is being paid currently cannot take us anywhere,” he said.

“We are also requesting that the backlog of gratuities between 2020 and 2025 be cleared. We believe this is doable before 2027,” Obadimu added.

The congress, themed “Healthy Life in Retirement,” featured a health talk titled “Ageing Realities with Special Emphasis on Hypertension and Diabetes.”

Obadimu said the theme was chosen to draw attention to the health and well-being of retired educators. He urged members to undergo regular medical check-ups and adhere to medical advice to reduce the risks associated with hypertension and diabetes.

On the 2027 general elections, the ARPSSON president urged members to participate actively and shun violence.

“We have informed our members to go and cast their votes. Our members should participate actively and stay clear of violence,” he said.

Also speaking, the association’s Public Relations Officer, Dayo Onabowale, urged members to vote for candidates of their choice.

“As we approach the 2027 elections, I want our members to come out en masse to vote for your trusted candidate so that we can choose a government of our choice,” he said.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, represented by the Zonal Education Officer, Mr Kola Abolaji, commended the association for organising the congress.

Dignitaries at the event included the President of Lagos State ARPSSON, Adegunle Abayomi; the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, Comrade Agbesanwa Seun; and the Deputy Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ogun State, Comrade Okulalu Olufemi.

They urged retired principals to continue playing advisory roles in the education sector.