Dr. Mohammed Adamu Fika, an 82-year-old veteran of Nigeria’s legislative service, is leading a tireless battle to address the neglect of National Assembly pensioners. As the first Director-General and Clerk Designate of Nigeria’s National Assembly, he became the foundation of its current establishment. Now, as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Council of Retired Clerks and Secretaries, Dr. Fika finds himself advocating fiercely for the rights of pensioners who are facing serious hardships, some even losing their lives due to the non-payment of entitlements.
In a recent interview with Taiwo Adisa, Dr. Fika opened up about his ongoing struggle to compel the National Assembly’s presiding officers to inaugurate the National Assembly Pensions Board, as mandated by the National Assembly Service Pensions Act of 2023. This law, passed nearly two years ago, has yet to be fully implemented, and many retirees are living in dire circumstances, waiting for action from the authorities.
Dr. Fika shared that as a former Permanent Secretary and the first staff member appointed to the National Assembly, he has a personal stake in the matter. Of the pensioners seeking justice, 95 percent were recruited during his tenure, creating an undeniable sense of responsibility to support them in their time of need. He remarked that, unlike today’s focus on pensions, his generation of civil servants had never considered the possibility of retirement benefits when they began their careers. It wasn’t until years later, when he was appointed Clerk Designate in 1999, that he himself began to think about the future of retirement.
The urgency of his mission became apparent after an emergency meeting held by the Council of Retired Clerks and Secretaries in November 2024. Despite efforts to engage with top leaders of the National Assembly, including the Senate President and the Right Honourable Speaker, Dr. Fika’s team was left waiting for hours only to be told that the legislative leaders were out of reach. Frustrated but undeterred, Dr. Fika continues to call for the immediate inauguration of the National Assembly Pensions Board, warning that without swift action, more pensioners will suffer or even die.
One of the most pressing issues, according to Dr. Fika, is the fact that while funds have been allocated for the Pensions Board’s establishment, the Board has yet to be set up. He explained that there are ample financial resources available, including over N5 billion that has been deducted from staff salaries but not remitted to the National Pensions Commission. With sufficient funding and legal backing, he believes the Pensions Board could begin operations immediately if the right political will is shown.
The situation is even more tragic given the deaths of at least 20 pensioners, with many others hospitalized due to the lack of funds for proper medical care. Dr. Fika expressed deep sorrow for the families affected, revealing that fellow retirees often pool their resources to cover funeral costs and provide support for those who are too ill to afford treatment.
Despite the slow-moving bureaucracy, Dr. Fika has refrained from directly appealing to President Bola Tinubu or other stakeholders, as he never imagined that anyone involved with the National Assembly would stand in opposition to the welfare of its retirees. The long delay in the implementation of the Pensions Act, he insists, is due to the sabotage of some officials, and he remains hopeful that justice will eventually prevail.
Looking back at his long career and the role he played in shaping Nigeria’s legislature, Dr. Fika acknowledged both the progress and challenges within the National Assembly. He commended the 10th National Assembly for its cooperation with the executive, but he also noted that Nigeria’s democracy is still in its formative stages, with frequent turnover among legislators hindering the development of a more mature system. He believes that the primary challenge to effective governance remains the prevalence of money-driven politics, which often brings mediocre and underqualified individuals to power.
As Dr. Fika continues his fight, he remains steadfast in his belief that the National Assembly’s pensioners deserve their rightful entitlements. His unwavering commitment to justice serves as both a reminder and a call to action for those in power to act swiftly and with compassion, ensuring that the contributions of Nigeria’s retired public servants are honored.
Gathered by: Onoro Promise Edesiri