FG Clears N3.9bn Pension Backlog

The Federal Government has provided major relief for Nigerian retirees as the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has released N3.9 billion in arrears to 91,146 qualified pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

The payout forms part of the N32,000 pension increase approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for thousands of retired workers nationwide.

The arrears were disbursed across several pension departments, including Parastatals, Civil Service, Police, Customs, Immigration, and Prisons.

This development signals the government’s renewed commitment to settling outstanding pension liabilities and improving the welfare of retirees.

According to the breakdown, N1.9 billion was paid to 59,865 pensioners under the Parastatals Pension Department, N830 million to 12,976 Civil Service pensioners, N620 million to 9,689 Police pensioners, and N551 million to 8,616 pensioners under Customs, Immigration, and Prisons.

In a statement, PTAD’s Corporate Communications head, Olugbenga Ajayi, quoted the Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, as reaffirming the Federal Government’s determination to clear arrears.

She said, “The completion of this payment is a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to improving pensioners’ welfare under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We remain focused on ensuring timely and consistent payment of pensions across all departments.”

Odunaiya added that the payments highlight the effort to restore dignity and financial stability to retirees who have waited patiently for their entitlements.

She said, “Our pensioners deserve timely payment, and we are working to ensure no eligible beneficiary is left behind. This is part of our ongoing strategy to eliminate arrears and enhance transparency in pension administration.”

She further assured that the agency would continue to track payments to ensure every eligible retiree receives their arrears without delay, noting, “This payment is a significant step forward, but we remain committed to maintaining a system that guarantees consistent support for retirees nationwide.”