Date: October 8, 2025
Subject: URGENT APPEAL AGAINST RECOGNITION OF UNVERIFIED UNIONS CLAIMING TO REPRESENT EX-PHCN PENSIONERS
Dear Director-General,
We, the concerned pensioners of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and its predecessor, the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), write to you today with grave apprehension. We are compelled to bring to your attention an insidious development that threatens to further complicate our already protracted struggle for pension justice: the emergence of fraudulent unions falsely claiming to represent our interests.
- Our Collective Identity and Legacy
We are the men and women who powered Nigeria through decades of service, maintaining the nation’s electricity infrastructure often under challenging circumstances. We retired with the legitimate expectation that our years of dedication would be honored through the timely payment of our pensions and entitlements. Instead, we have found ourselves embroiled in a 22-year battle for what is rightfully ours—a battle that has seen many of our colleagues pass away without receiving their due .
The legitimate body representing pensioners in Nigeria is the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), led by its National President, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, which has been unequivocal in its advocacy for our rights . Any other group claiming primary representation of pensioners is operating outside recognized structures.
- Historical Context of Our Struggle
Our predicament is not new. As documented in various media reports, we have endured over two decades of delayed entitlements, consisting of gratuities and monthly pension shortfalls amounting to 42% for 22 years . Despite claims that N25 billion was allocated in Appropriation Acts from 2017 to 2022 for this purpose, we continue to await full payment ..
- The Emerging Threat of Fraudulent Representation
Recently, we have witnessed the emergence of suspicious groups employing tactics straight from the playbook of psychological manipulation:
– Creation of False Crisis
These groups identify genuine points of pain—such as the agitation for outstanding pension balances—and deliberately amplify them, while spreading misinformation that recognized unions are “too compromised” or “ineffective” to serve our interests.
– Promise of Exclusive Access
They claim to possess “backchannel access” to high-level government officials, suggesting they can secure what legitimate unions cannot. These false promises are designed to prey on the desperation of pensioners who have waited for decades.
– Information Harvesting
Their initial approach often involves collecting personal data—names, phone numbers, banking details—under the guise of “special verification” or “registration for exclusive payments.” This information represents a goldmine for potential identity theft or future financial scams.
– Eventual Monetization
After establishing trust, these groups inevitably introduce demands for “processing fees,” “legal retainers,” or “logistics costs” for non-existent services or form processing.
- Formal Appeals and Requests for Protection
In light of these concerning developments, we respectfully urge PENCOM to implement the following protective measures:
– Establish Strict Verification Protocols
We request that PENCOM officially recognize only the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) as the legitimate representative body for all pensioners, including ex-PHCN retirees, and establish a clear, transparent process for verifying the legitimacy of any group claiming to represent pensioners.
– Enhance Communication Channels
We appeal for the creation of dedicated, regular communication channels between PENCOM and legitimate pensioner representatives to ensure accurate information reaches pensioners directly, reducing vulnerability to misinformation.
– Public Awareness Campaign
We urge PENCOM to launch a public awareness campaign educating pensioners about legitimate channels for redress and the dangers of engaging with unverified groups, potentially using the Commission’s official social media platforms: Twitter: @pencomnig, Facebook: www.facebook.com/pencom.gov.ng, and Instagram: @pencom .
– Formal Complaint Mechanism
We request the establishment of a dedicated, accessible mechanism within PENCOM for reporting suspected fraudulent groups, potentially through the existing consumer complaint channels: Telephone: 0700-CALLPENCOM (0700-225-573-6266), Email: consumer@pencom.gov.ng .
- Conclusion: A Plea for Protection and Recognition
We, the ex-PHCN pensioners, have already endured enough—22 years of waiting, countless colleagues lost to preventable circumstances, and the daily struggle to survive on inadequate pensions. We cannot now become victims of predatory groups seeking to exploit our vulnerability.
We implore PENCOM to stand as a bulwark against these fraudulent entities by refusing to entertain any group that cannot provide verified, legitimate credentials as our representatives. Our struggle for justice has been long and arduous, but we remain committed to pursuing it through proper channels and legitimate representation.
The words of our fellow pensioners echo our collective sentiment: “We don’t want to go back to Egypt” . We cannot return to the days of pension fraud and exploitation that characterized the pre-PTAD era. We look to PENCOM as our protector and regulator to ensure that our twilight years are not further marred by deception and betrayal.
We await your prompt action and response.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Ex-PHCN Pensioners,
Damilola Omosebi
