A popular Yoruba proverb says when a rabbit gets old, it suckles on its child’s breasts, which symbolises the prevailing mindset of children as retirement plans in Nigerian society. In this piece, OLUWAKEMI ABIMBOLA explores the multigenerational adverse effects of delayed pensions. Seated under a shed at the Federal Civil Service Club, the venue of their meeting, were about two dozen retirees, who waited patiently, their weathered faces a mixture of resignation and quiet determination.
The shed offered a brief respite from the morning heat but not from the burden they carried. Most of the men wore ankara fabrics, paired with caps; the women in Yoruba ‘iro and buba,’ skirt and blouse made from ankara, and others in western-style gowns added a splash of colour to an otherwise sombre gathering. A few of the younger ones, faces lightly made up, stood out as a subtle reminder that retirement does not always come with age.
This was the regular bi-monthly meeting of the Concerned Federal Pensioners, a support group formed by retirees from various federal government establishments. For many, it was more than just a meeting; it was an outlet, a moment to step out of their homes and the daily challenges they face. Here, they could air their grievances, share updates, and renew faint hopes that someone, somewhere, might finally listen.
A Life of waiting Among them was Amidu Iposi, a former level-seven civil servant with the Federal Ministry of Housing. Retired for nearly two deca.