The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to intensify the fight against pension fraud and strengthen transparency and accountability in the administration of pension benefits.
The agreement, signed on Tuesday at PTAD headquarters in Abuja, is designed to ensure the welfare of Nigerian retirees by tackling systemic corruption and fraudulent practices that have long plagued the pension sector.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, described the MoU as a landmark step in safeguarding the interests of senior citizens. He stressed that the pact would help bring to justice fraudsters who exploit the vulnerabilities of pensioners.
He said the MoU is a culmination of discussions between ICPC and PTAD about the systematic challenges facing pensioners, the hardship they endure, and the collaborative effort required to combat fraudsters who prey on them. The memorandum of understanding marks a pivotal moment in our collective fight against corruption in pension administration,” Aliyu said.
According to Aliyu, the agreement is more than a ceremonial document but a “declaration of war” against pension fraud. By combining PTAD’s digitised database with ICPC’s investigative and prosecutorial powers, he said, both agencies would create a powerful mechanism for information-sharing, joint investigations, and sensitisation campaigns to protect retirees.
“For too long, our retirees have been a target for fraudsters and unscrupulous individuals. It is a situation we can no longer tolerate. The welfare of pensioners is a matter close to my heart. They are our parents and grandparents who have dedicated their lives to national service. It is our duty to ensure their retirement is one of peace and dignity, not endless struggle for their entitlements. With this agreement, we are sending a clear message: the dark days of pension fraud are coming to an end,” the ICPC chairman declared.
On her part, PTAD’s executive secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, hailed the signing as a defining moment for both agencies, noting that the pact went beyond legal terms to symbolise a strong and enduring partnership.
“This MoU reflects our shared determination to combat corruption, uphold integrity, and advance transparency and accountability within our respective mandates, while ensuring the delivery of good governance to every pensioner. It is the product of thorough deliberations and the unwavering commitment of our technical teams,” she said.
Odunaiya outlined five major objectives of the partnership: conducting joint investigations into corruption cases, facilitating verification of introduction letters from ministries, departments, agencies, and state governments; sharing intelligence and information; organising joint capacity-building programmes; and co-hosting public enlightenment campaigns to educate citizens on integrity and accountability.
She added that the collaboration aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises integrity, transparency, and accountability across government institutions.
“This partnership represents a strategic step founded on the understanding that no single agency can successfully combat corruption in isolation. By leveraging our combined strengths, we can significantly enhance our capacity to prevent, detect, and prosecute corruption-related offences in the pension sector. Today’s signing is not just about a document but the opening of a new chapter in collaboration,” the PTAD boss noted.
The pension sector in Nigeria has long been riddled with fraud and administrative irregularities, with cases of ghost pensioners, falsified records, and diversion of funds recurring despite reforms. Many retirees have faced delays in accessing their entitlements, often falling prey to middlemen who exploit the system for illicit gains.
Both leaders agreed that beyond the signing of the MoU, the real task lies in sustained collaboration, continuous monitoring, and practical implementation of agreed frameworks. They assured that the partnership would deliver measurable results that directly improve the welfare of pensioners.
With the signing, ICPC and PTAD have sent a strong signal to fraudsters operating within the pension space. The agencies pledged to ensure that Nigerian retirees—who dedicated their productive years to national service—can finally enjoy their retirement in dignity, free from exploitation and fraudulent practices.
