Retired University Staff Cry Out Over Unpaid Pensions, Gratuities, Say 209 Colleagues Have Died

Retired staff of Ebonyi State University have appealed to the Ebonyi State Government and the university authorities to pay their outstanding pensions and gratuities, saying many of their colleagues have died while waiting for their retirement benefits.

The retirees, who publicly voiced their grievances, said as many as 209 former staff members had died as of the time they documented the figure, while several others were still battling illnesses without the financial resources to access proper medical care.

One of the retirees, identified as Ukpai Okoro, said he commenced work at the university on February 17, 1992, and retired on September 1, 2025, but had yet to receive his gratuity or other retirement benefits.

Okoro, who said he became blind while still in service, described his condition as extremely difficult, adding that he now depends heavily on his wife for assistance.

“I started the job on 17 February 1992. My retirement is 1 September 2025. Until now, I have not received any payment, my gratuity and retirement,” he said.

He added that his blindness developed during his years of service, leaving him dependent on his wife for basic activities.

Another retiree said he had spent about 43 years in university service but retired without receiving his pension or gratuity.

“Since that time I retired, we have not been paid either pension or gratuity. Up to now. And we are dying,” he said.

The retirees also complained about what they described as explanations from the university management concerning the consolidation of their benefits, insisting that they had not received the retirement entitlements they were expecting.

One of them said the affected retirees had served the state-owned institution for decades and questioned why provisions contained in their retirement letters and conditions of service had allegedly not been implemented.

Another retiree, who spoke about his deteriorating health, said he now suffers from swollen legs and has lost the ability to walk freely.

“I am in bondage now. I don’t walk freely as a man,” he said, appealing to the authorities to pay the retirees while they are still alive.

A female retiree also appealed to the state government to show compassion, saying her family was struggling because of the absence of retirement benefits.

“We are suffering so much. We are pleading to God Almighty to touch the heart of the Ebonyi State governor to tender mercy upon us,” she said.

The retirees said the absence of regular pension payments had made it difficult for them to buy drugs, feed themselves and support their families.

One of them noted that even a relatively small monthly pension could provide retirees with some measure of security because of the assurance that money would be available at the end of each month.

“It can sustain life. So what they are doing to us is not proper,” he said.

The retirees therefore appealed to the Ebonyi State Government and the management of Ebonyi State University to urgently address their complaints and pay their outstanding pensions and gratuities.

They stressed that after decades of service, they should not be left without financial support in retirement, particularly as some of them are now battling serious health and financial challenges.