Ekiti varsity pensioners appeal to Oyebanji over unpaid pensions, entitlements
Pensioners of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ikere-Ekiti, have appealed to the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to urgently intervene in the payment of their outstanding pensions and other entitlements.
The pensioners, under the BOUESTI Pensioners Association, said members were facing severe hardship following the non-payment of their August 2026 pension and the outstanding 50 per cent of their July pension.
The association made the appeal in a letter dated September 7, 2026, made available in Ado Ekiti on Monday and signed by its Chairman, Dr Kola Ajaja, and Public Relations Officer, Alao Odeyemi.
The letter was addressed to Oyebanji in his capacity as Visitor to the institution.
The pensioners said the delay in payment had worsened their financial and health challenges, with some members struggling to meet basic needs.
“The delay had subjected members to financial hardship, ill-health and, in some cases, untimely deaths, particularly as many of us depend on our monthly pensions for medication and basic welfare,” the association said.
They also alleged that the university management was heavily indebted to pensioners over unpaid gratuities and other entitlements.
The pensioners urged the governor to use his office to secure the immediate settlement of the outstanding payments, listing their demands to include “full payment of the August 2026 pension; payment of the remaining 50 per cent arrears of the July pension; settlement of arrears arising from the new minimum wage and the 20–28 per cent pension increase; implementation of the 2019 consequential adjustment in pension; and payment of outstanding gratuities.”
Explaining their decision to appeal directly to the governor, the association said it preferred dialogue to public protests.
“We have chosen to send this appeal to you (the governor) rather than embark on public protests because we believe that you will answer our prayers with utmost urgency,” the pensioners said.
According to them, prompt intervention by Oyebanji would help members meet their healthcare and other basic needs while preventing further avoidable deaths.
