PenCom Organises Retreat For Pensioners, Workers In North East

The National Pension  Commission has organised an advocacy retreat aimed at improving the dignity and better future of federal workers and pensioners.

The retreat drew participants from MDAs under the Contributory Pension Scheme from the North-East and was held at the Modibbo Adama University Yola.

Declaring the workshop open Pencom director general, Ms Omolola Oloworaran said federal government has brought the much-needed relief to vulnerable pensioners following approval for the issuance of N758 billion bonds to clear long-standing pension obligations, including pension increases owed since 2007.

Oloworaran said in total, more than 844,000 retirees across both public and private sectors now enjoy retirement benefits that are steady, reliable, and transparent.

The DG, represented by Bello Abubakar, commissioner of Administration, stated that more than 10 million Nigerians, including public service employees, private sector workers, artisans, and the self-employed, are covered under the CPS through the Personal Pension Plan.

Additionally, he explained that pension assets have grown to over ₦25 trillion, fueling national development through strategic investments, while also securing regular monthly pensions for over 552,000 retirees and lump sum benefits for an additional 291,735 retirees.

He further stressed that pension matters have moved from an era defined by unpaid entitlements and uncertainty to a new order anchored on transparency, sustainability, and inclusiveness with the approval.

He listed an increase in monthly pensions from ₦12.157 billion to ₦14.837 billion, effective June 2025, and zero waiting time for Pension Payments, since July 2025, as a boost in the system.

The chairman of the Nigerian National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Ekpo Nta lauded new reforms in the pension administration in the country.