BOUESTI Addresses Retirees’ Protest, Pledges to Clear Outstanding Pensions by Sept. 19

By Joseph Sunday

The management of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI) has addressed the protest staged by its retirees on Monday, September 14, 2026, over delayed pension payments, pledging to clear all outstanding arrears on or before Friday, September 19, 2026.

In a statement personally signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Andrew Babatunde Omojola, the management said the delay was not deliberate and appealed for calm.

Prof. Omojola clarified that the university is owing pensions for August 2026 and the outstanding 50 per cent of July 2026. He attributed the delay to paucity of funds and a technical upgrade of the university’s payment gateway by its bankers.

According to him, management is working assiduously to resolve the challenges and has concluded plans to pay both the August pension and the 50 per cent balance of July within the same period to cushion the effect on retirees.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the August delay is the first of its kind, as the university has maintained consistent monthly pension payments. He disclosed that from 2021 to June 2026, the institution has expended over N4.88 billion on pension and gratuity obligations.

Breakdown of the payments is as follows:

2021: N517.7m; 2022: N622.2m; 2023: N614.1m; 2024: N778.2m; 2025: N1.25bn; Jan – June 2026: N1.08bn. Total: N4,880,329,270.83

Prof. Omojola added that management had engaged the Executive Committee of the Retirees Association and explained the current challenges before the protest.

He reiterated management’s sensitivity to the plight of its pensioners, acknowledging their years of dedicated service, and assured that their welfare remains a top priority.

The university urged the public and media to disregard any insinuation that it has abandoned its pension obligations.