Mr. Franklin Erinle, the General Secretary of the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN), recently opened up about the journey, challenges, and future aspirations of the union in an insightful interview.
FEPPPAN was born out of a restructuring exercise initiated by the Minister of Labour and Employment in March 2020. This came after years of dissatisfaction among pensioners, who felt underrepresented by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and other groups. Rather than breaking up pensioners’ unions, the Minister saw the need for a reorganisation under the Trade Unions Act, resulting in the formation of three pensioners’ unions: FEPPPAN, NUP, and the Contributory Pensioners Union of Nigeria (CPUN).
FEPPPAN aims to address the unique needs of pensioners from federal parastatals and private sector organisations, ensuring that their concerns are handled with transparency and inclusivity. Unlike other unions, FEPPPAN is led by pensioners for pensioners, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges they face.
What sets FEPPPAN apart is its participatory leadership model, where every member’s voice is respected. Pensioners lead and govern themselves, ensuring that their issues are tackled with empathy and firsthand knowledge of the challenges they experience. The union strives to be more transparent, breaking away from the monopolistic structure that previously dominated the pensioners’ space.
FEPPPAN’s existence provides an alternative to the NUP, creating healthy competition that encourages both unions to better serve their members. Franklin Erinle proudly describes FEPPPAN as the best pensioners' union in Nigeria.
Like any new organisation, FEPPPAN faced significant challenges. Initially, it had to establish its structure, gain members’ trust, and build a national presence. This slow but steady process saw the union overcoming its teething problems and opposition from the NUP, which has persistently challenged FEPPPAN’s existence in court.
The NUP filed two cases against FEPPPAN, questioning its registration. However, FEPPPAN won both cases at the National Industrial Court, but the NUP has continued its appeal. Despite these ongoing legal battles, FEPPPAN remains open to collaboration with the NUP, believing that both unions share the same goal: the betterment of Nigerian pensioners.
Additionally, funding has been a significant issue. FEPPPAN is yet to receive the level of financial support it needs, as many parastatal pensioners’ dues are still being directed to NUP instead of FEPPPAN. The union is hopeful that the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate’s (PTAD) check-off dues policy will rectify this, allowing FEPPPAN to operate at its full potential.
Internally, FEPPPAN has dealt with leadership conflicts, where personal interests sometimes interfered with the union’s smooth running. However, these issues were resolved, and the union is now united, focusing on the collective goal of advancing pensioners' interests.
Notably, FEPPPAN has been operating under an interim leadership since its inception. However, the union is now on the verge of transitioning to a permanent leadership structure, which Erinle believes will bring greater stability and direction to the organisation.
Looking ahead, FEPPPAN envisions a bright future. More parastatal pensioners are beginning to join the union, which Erinle sees as a positive development. He also believes that the relationship between FEPPPAN and the NUP will eventually improve.
FEPPPAN's upcoming National Delegates Conference, scheduled for October 2024 in Abuja, marks a significant milestone. It will solidify FEPPPAN’s structure, set the agenda for the future, and elect a permanent leadership team to guide the union forward.
FEPPPAN is also focused on expanding its outreach efforts, bringing more pensioners into its fold. With proactive administration and a commitment to inclusivity, the union is poised to grow stronger and more influential in the coming years.
The government has played a crucial role in FEPPPAN’s formation and success. However, more support is needed, particularly in ensuring the proper implementation of PTAD’s check-off dues policy. Erinle calls on the Ministry of Labour and Employment to continue enforcing labour laws that protect pensioners’ rights, creating an environment where unions like FEPPPAN can thrive.
For parastatal pensioners who have not yet officially joined FEPPPAN, Erinle assures them that the union was created for them. He acknowledges that many pensioners may be on union vacation but believes that they will eventually recognise the value of joining FEPPPAN.
The government has already regrouped all federal parastatal pensioners under FEPPPAN, making them part of the union by default. Erinle encourages pensioners facing personal or bureaucratic challenges to reach out, as FEPPPAN is committed to making their transition as seamless as possible.
FEPPPAN is poised to become the pride of all Nigerian pensioners, with its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and proactive administration. Erinle is confident that the union will continue to grow in strength and influence, advocating for pensioners' rights and ensuring that they receive the respect and benefits they deserve.
The future of FEPPPAN is bright, and pensioners across Nigeria are encouraged to join the journey toward a stronger, more unified, and more prosperous future.