Retirees of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, BOUESTI, Ikere-Ekiti, have appealed to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, to urgently intervene in the payment of outstanding pensions, gratuities, and other entitlements owed to them by the institution.
The appeal was contained in a letter signed by the leadership of the BOUESTI Pensioners Association and made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.
The letter, signed by the Association’s Chairman, Dr. Kola Ajaja, and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alao Odeyemi, alleged that as of September 7, 2026, pensioners had not received their August 2026 pension, while only 50 per cent of the July 2026 pension had been paid.
According to the association, the prolonged delay has subjected members to severe hardship, with some retirees reportedly suffering avoidable illnesses and untimely deaths due to their inability to meet basic needs, including medical expenses.
Beyond monthly pensions, the pensioners alleged that the university management is indebted to them in several other areas. These include: Outstanding gratuities, Arrears of the new national minimum wage,
Arrears of the 20 to 28 per cent pension increase, Non-implementation of the 2019 consequential adjustment on pension.
The association described the situation as untenable and said it was eroding the welfare and dignity of those who served the institution meritoriously.
In the letter addressed to Governor Oyebanji, who doubles as the Visitor to BOUESTI, the pensioners urged him to use his good offices to secure immediate payment of all outstanding entitlements.
Specifically, the association requested: Immediate payment in full of the August 2026 pension, Payment of the outstanding 50 per cent of July 2026 pension, Settlement of gratuity arrears,Payment of arrears of the new minimum wage and 20–28% pension increase, and Implementation of the 2019 consequential adjustment on pension
“Your Excellency, please come to our aid and ensure that the university management pays our August pension and the 50 per cent arrears of July pension immediately so that our members can take care of their health challenges, attend to their medications and general welfare,” the letter stated.
The association said it opted to channel its grievance through the governor rather than embark on public protests, citing confidence in his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and good governance.
The pensioners urged the governor to treat the matter with utmost urgency to alleviate the suffering of senior citizens who dedicated their working lives to the growth of BOUESTI.
