NLC Demand: Tinubu Allegedly Bows to Pressure, Appoints New Chairman of National Pension Commission
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered from Nairametrics, that president Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a seasoned financial expert and former banking executive, Opeyemi Agbaje as the new Chairman of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), in what could be a reaction to the pressure from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
OTN News further reports as gathered that a source confirmed the development to Nairametrics, while the Federal Government and the Presidency are yet to issue an official statement.
OTN News observes that Agbaje, who assumes the role at a critical time for PenCom, his appointment comes in the wake of a seven-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), demanding the immediate constitution of PenCom’s governing board.
OTN News had earlier reported that the NLC had warned the federal government that failure to act would result in industrial action.
“The CWC noted with grave concern the non-constitution of the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission, in contravention of the PENCOM Act and other statutes,” the NLC’s Central Working Committee stated.
“This unlawful vacuum has allowed government to solely superintend over the pension funds contributed by workers and employers, stripping away the statutory tripartite oversight and increasing the risk of mismanagement and political interference.”
The NLC emphasized that pension funds are “deferred wages, not state revenue,” and insisted on full compliance with the law in constituting the board. The union warned that if the government failed to act within the stipulated timeframe, it would no longer guarantee industrial peace in the sector.
Agbaje succeeds Dr. Oyindasola Oluremi Oni, the outgoing chairperson of the board.
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