Retirement Is Not a Death Sentence, Adesanya-Davies Appeals to Tinubu Over Retiree Medical Benefits

Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, a former presidential candidate and spouse-retiree, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what she described as the alleged unjust withdrawal or de-registration of her post-retirement medical benefits under the Shell/SPDC–Renaissance Africa Energy retirement structure.
In an open letter addressed to the President,

Adesanya-Davies said the matter was no longer simply a database or administrative issue, but one involving transparency, due process, dignity and the protection of legitimate retirement expectations.

She questioned how a retiree’s healthcare benefits could become affected by corporate restructuring, particularly following the transition involving Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Renaissance Africa Energy.

“When corporate structures change, should the legitimate welfare expectations of retirees and recognised beneficiaries simply disappear?” she asked.

Adesanya-Davies also demanded clarification on the circumstances surrounding her reported de-registration, asking who authorised the decision, what provision was relied upon, when the decision took effect and whether she was properly notified or given an opportunity to respond.

She said that if her medical benefit had been lawfully terminated, she wanted the applicable rule and evidence made available, but if it had not been lawfully terminated, she called for its immediate restoration.

The professor stressed that she was not asking President Tinubu to prejudge any litigation connected with the SPDC-to-Renaissance transition, but to ensure that retirees and recognised beneficiaries were not overlooked during the corporate restructuring process.

Describing herself as “a Nigerian, a woman, a professor, a bishop, a former presidential candidate and a spouse-retiree,” she said she was seeking dignity and fair treatment rather than preferential treatment.

According to her, retirement benefits should not be treated as acts of charity or corporate generosity, arguing that they arise from employment, retirement, pension, medical and welfare arrangements governed by applicable agreements and scheme rules.

“I cannot accept unexplained uncertainty over healthcare after 35 years of reliance on an established arrangement,” she said.

Adesanya-Davies urged the President to facilitate an independent and transparent review of her case.

Her requests include a review of her retirement medical-benefit records, identification of the rule relied upon for her de-registration, clarification of spouse and dependant eligibility provisions, and an explanation of the respective responsibilities of Shell/SPDC, Renaissance Africa Energy and the relevant pension and welfare structures.

She also requested an opportunity to challenge or appeal the decision and called for the involvement of appropriate pension, labour and regulatory authorities, including PENGASSAN where applicable.
She further asked that any benefit found, after verification, to have been improperly withdrawn or suspended be restored.

The former presidential candidate said the issue extended beyond her personal circumstances, arguing that thousands of Nigerian workers approaching retirement would want assurances that their years of service and retirement medical and welfare benefits would be protected.

“A corporate transition should never create a gap between commercial obligations and human obligations,” she said.

Adesanya-Davies urged the President to ensure that the relevant documents and agreements were produced, the applicable rules examined, all parties heard and the facts established.

“If my entitlement remains valid, let it be protected. If it has lawfully ended, let the rule and evidence be shown. If an administrative error occurred, let it be corrected,” she said.

She concluded her appeal by stressing that retirement should not mean the loss of dignity or access to legitimate benefits.

“Retirement is not a death sentence. Healthcare is not a favour. Legitimate retirement benefits are not charity,” she said, appealing to President Tinubu to help ensure that her concerns over dignity, transparency and healthcare did not “disappear into bureaucracy.”