Tag: PTAD

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has reiterated its commitment to pensioners’ welfare.

The Directorate has, therefore, introduced various initiatives aimed at managing pension benefits for Federal Government’s retirees under the old Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), who did not transit to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

At the Annual Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) hosted by PTAD in Lagos, the Executive Secretary/CEO, Mrs. Tolulope Odunaiya, highlighted the Directorate’s work and their achievements.

Odunaiya, represented by the Head, Corporate Communication, Mr. Olugbenga Ajayi and Head, Lagos Regional Office, Mr. Casmir Audu, said they would continue to assist pensioners.

Ajayi said the Directorate was established to handle pensions of those who did not move to the CPS, noting that PTAD ensures that eligible pensioners receive their pensions promptly and accurately.

Read Also: PTAD clears air on pension increase implementation

He said: “Since establishment of PTAD in 2013, and up till this moment, PTAD has never failed to pay pensions every month. That is why we have been able to take pensioners out of the streets. That is one of the credibility the government is enjoying because nobody is diverting money meant for payment of pensions anymore. The Directorate has continued to introduce various initiatives to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness, some of which are Field Verification, I Am Alive Confirmation, and Mobile Verification.’’

“As we progressed, we discovered that we shouldn’t be calling our fathers and mothers, especially those from a far distance to come and do verification in Lagos and a technology was introduced. We call that technology ‘I Am Alive’ Confirmation.’’

 Why do we call it ‘I Am Alive’? This is because pension under DBS is for life.

“Once you are still alive, you are entitled to your pension. I Am Alive enables pensioners to confirm their status even in their home at every location. This is done through an internet-enabled phone and anybody can help you do it. Once you confirm your status, in the next six month, your pension will continue to run. “We have introduced Mobile Verification for people who are sick, or those who are alive but are incapacitated to attend normal verification. We schedule mobile confirmation for those who have done I Am Alive verification but later falls sick.’’

Ajayi further said PTAD is a Federal Government’s treasury funded agency with no commercial bank account, adding that their responsibility is to prepare schedules of pension payment.

“PTAD doesn’t have any account in any commercial bank; so, we don’t keep any money because we are a treasury-funded agency. Pensions are paid by the Central Bank and are paid directly into pensioners’ accounts. Our duty is to prepare the schedules of payment and it will pass through various tables, including Federal auditors, Internal auditors, Accountant-General Office. So, it is not something that somebody will just wake up and say PTAD has money somewhere,” he explained.

He said PTAD is ensuring that nobody tampers with pensioners’ money. PTAD offices are in 13 states.

• We have plans to advance pensioners welfare, says ES

Since its establishment, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has put in place a reliable database for pensioners, cleaning up the payroll of ineligible pensioners, and ensuring timely and accurate payment of pensions to retirees, the Executive Secretary (ES), Tolulope Odunaiya, has said.

She spoke at the maiden stakeholder’s interactive session in Lagos.

She said the platform was provided in line with commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in the administration of Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensions.

She said it provides us a platform to strengthen the trust between PTAD and the pension community.

Other achievements

Odunaiya stated that through various initiatives such as the ‘’I Am Alive Confirmation(IAAC)’’ solution, we have reduced the burden of physical verification on our senior citizens and promoted dignity and respect in their interaction with the system. We have also, in the process, saved pensioners the cost and discomfort of commuting to physical verification centres and the Federal Government enormous amounts hitherto used to fund the  verification.

“We have also ensured the prompt resolution of complaints, continued expansion of our digital infrastructure that will soon include the self-verification solution that will be extended to Diaspora pensioners and eventually replace aspects of the expensive and rigorous Mobile Verification exercise. We equally improved and expanded our customer service delivery through enhanced communication channels, including the Lagos Zonal Office, which many of you interface with regularly, and the 13 other State offices located across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. We have also fully implemented the 20/28 per cent pension increment of 2024 and have defrayed all the accrued arrears arising therefrom.

”PTAD has also partly paid arrears of the N32,000 pension increment to pensioners of all Departments and Sectors even though this unprecedented second pension increment of 2024 was announced in August, months after the Directorate had already submitted its 2025 budget estimates the previous May. These milestone achievements have been recorded because of the efficiency savings arising from the full implementation of the I Am Alive Confirmation (IAAC) solution.

She added: “Yet, we acknowledge that some challenges remain. There are genuine concerns regarding delayed implementation of monthly payment of the N32,000 pension increment of 2024, the lag in the implementation of the outcome of the review of the Back-End-Computation of some sectors of the Parastatals Pensions Department, and the lack of instant restoration of pensioners to the payroll after they had performed the IAAC.

“We are not shying away from these issues. Rather, we are confronting them head-on through a combination of shrewd financial management and optimisation of pension operations anchored on efficiency savings. Specifically, over the past six months, we have embarked on significant improvement of our IT infrastructure and the administrative and operational structures of the Directorate. These measures are projected to reposition PTAD and make it more responsive and capable of instantly meeting pensioners’ expectations in real-time.

Read Also: PTAD clears air on pension increase implementation

We have also amped up our advocacy campaigns for additional funding to meet the sudden upsurge in the cost of payment of monthly pension.

“The unprecedented double increments generously and graciously approved by Mr. President in 2024 have more than doubled the pension budget of some Departments of PTAD. Despite these challenges, PTAD has fully settled the arrears arising from, and is implementing the 20/28 per cent pension increment that took effect on January 1, 2024. Similarly, after the first 10 months of the effective date of the N32,000 increment, the Directorate is at between 40 per cent and 80 per cent levels of settlement of accrued arrears across the Parastatals, Civil Service, Customs, Immigrations and Prisons, as well as Police Pensions Departments.

 This has cost the Directorate over N27.5 billion already. Another N45.1 billion will be required to fully implement the N32,000 increment for the period up to December 2025. And that is factoring in the expected IAAC and efficiency savings of N18.1 billion. We have also started settling the arrears of the 10.66 per cent and 12.95 per cent increments approved for certain specialised agencies of PaPD.

“Although we have applied a pause in the payment of these arrears, we will resume payments as soon as we are able to get certain clarifications on its implementation from the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).’’

2026 Agenda

The PTAD boss said aside meeting the liabilities last year’s increments, they had also set up an agenda for 2026.

‘’The Directorate will vigorously pursue the approval of the harmonisation of pension to eliminate the gap between pensioners who retired at different times and on different salary structures.

The Directorate has also targeted next year for the expansion of its healthcare coverage to DBS pensioners under its management,’’ she said.

Palliatives

On palliatives, she informed the pensioners that PTAD is not the agency assigned to handle.

“This falls under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.

“PTAD has forwarded the list of our pensioners and their account details to the Ministry and followed up to see that the payment is made.”

Pensioners as partners

Odunaiya stressed that the session is not just to inform pensioners about their achievements, challenges and bold plans to advance the welfare of pensioners, but to listen and hear their concerns, take feedback, and provide clarifications where necessary.

“We are committed to continuous improvement and to ensuring that the dignity of every pensioner is upheld. Your cooperation, feedback, and support are crucial to PTAD’s success.

“We recognise the importance of engaging you not only as beneficiaries but as partners in this journey. It is only through open dialogue and collaborative effort that we can build a more efficient, fair, and compassionate pension administration system.

“I urge you to look at the Directorate as a reliable and indispensable partner with whom you need to collaborate rather than confront. It is only through a coordinated approach that we can achieve our common objectives of delivering the best pensioner experience that our esteemed pensioners deserve,” she assured.

• Pension payment remains top priority, says AGF

The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to pension payments under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

He emphasised that safeguarding the welfare of senior citizens remains a top priority for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Ogunjimi gave the assurance during a visit by the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Tolulope Odunaiya, to the Treasury House in Abuja.

Read Also: PTAD pays NGN8.6b arrears of N32,000 pension increment

The PTAD Executive Secretary commended the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) for its support.

She noted that the visit was aimed at further strengthening the strategic partnership between both institutions to ensure effective and impactful management of the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensions.

Ogunjimi commended PTAD’s dedication and achievements despite prevailing fiscal constraints, and pledged continued support to the Directorate under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said pension payments remain a non-negotiable priority, and the OAGF will continue to work closely with PTAD to ensure their welfare is protected.

ADEKUNLE: Dear Omobola, I and some of NITEL and MTEL retiree did our verification since January 20I8 and we are yet to get our due pension from PTAD. We are about 48 in number and our names have been forwarded to PTAD since 2020, but PTAD said we should exercise patient. I received five years pension in 2007, 2009, 2010 respectively. Kindly help us.

PTAD: We contacted this Pensioner on 08050772683 to provide his verification slip or BVN as the account number he provided (6050283692) is not in our record. But he said he was not at home to provide it.

EKEKPOROH: My name is Ekekporoh. My complaint is on nonpayment of pension arrears. I was paid some arrears in August 2024 and December to January 2025.

Read Also: PTAD: Resolving pensioners’ issues

PTAD: We aware of the nonpayment 20 per cent ad 28 per cent of this pensioner, he is among the list of those that are yet to be paid. Please be informed the arrears are paid in batches and the N32 naira increment will also be paid as soon as the fund are available.

ONIPEDE: Good day, my name is Onipede, I am a severance retiree of February 2007. We were short paid of gratuity and the monthly pension from the inception was wrong payments till date. This made all the increments and amendment have no effect on our monthly pension. Also, the federal government circular of ‘Consequential Adjustment in Pension Arising from the Implementation of National Minimum Wage’ with effective date April 18, 2019 has not been effected for NIPOST retirees. Early this year, your office issued a communiqué that the all anomalies will be corrected by March 2024. But to our surprise it was not done till date. Why is this so? Also why did the core ministries retirees receive 45 per cent more than NIPOST. This is even as parastatals like Power Holding, NITEL and others are receiving better pension. I want to know what type of parastatal is NIPOST.

PTAD: Kindly provide us with the hardcopy of your Bank Statement from retirement till date to enable us process your complaint of non-payment of gratuity. Also note that you are required to attach a complaint letter addressed to the Executive Secretary and also note that we are in the process of reviewing and re-computing all the Back End Computation.

OLIYE: Good day, I am CSPD pensioner. I retired from Federal Ministry of Education. My pension I have not yet receive my 20percent pension areas and 32 pension areas.

PTAD: We are aware of the nonpayment 20per cent and 28 per cent of this pensioner, he is among the list of those that are yet to be paid. Please be informed the arrears are paid in batches, the N32 naira increment will also be paid as soon as the fund are available.

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) have agreed to establish a specific-purpose administrative arrangement for the joint review and quick resolution of operational issues that are relevant to the delivery of their respective mandates for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in the management of pensions under the DBS.

This renewed commitment was made during a courtesy visit by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, to the Director General of BPE, Mr. Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, at his Abuja office.

Odunaiya acknowledged the Bureau’s longstanding partnership with PTAD, particularly since the Directorate assumed responsibility for managing the pensions and retirement benefits of Federal Government Retirees from various Defunct and Privatised Agencies affected by the 1999–2005 Public Enterprises Privatisation and Commercialisation Reform.

Read Also: PTAD: Resolving pensioners’ issues

She stressed PTAD’s commitment to enhancing Pensioners’ welfare.

“We deeply value the enduring collaboration between PTAD and BPE and count on your continued support as we pursue our shared mandate of protecting the rights and dignity of Pensioners,” she stated.

In response, Mr. Gbeleyi welcomed the renewed partnership and pledged the support and commitment of BPE for the initiative.

He stressed that the agreement aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and the Federal Government’s objective of fostering positive and impactful inter-agency collaboration.

OLIYE: Good day, I am a CSPD pensioner. I retired from the Federal Ministry of Education.  I have not received my 20 per cent pension arrears and 32 pension arrears.

PTAD: We are aware of the non-payment of 20 per cent and 28 per cent of this pensioner. He is among the list of those that are yet to be paid. Please be informed the arrears are paid in batches, the N32 increment will also be paid as soon as funds are available.

LAWRENCE: I am a Nitel/Mtel pensioner. I did my verification since September 3, 2018 but I am yet to be put on payroll. I have written several emails. I have been to the PTAD office in Racecourse, Lagos more than 20 times, but was told that my documents are okay. Instead of PTAD to pay my pension, there is a message they send to me every quarter of the year, yet nothing is done.

PTAD: Mr. Lawrence Adesola Olukogbon has incomplete documents. He has only an appointment letter in our database which indicates his first date of appointment is 1/June/1985, and on his pension form he indicated it was 1977 while his retirement date was 1991. If we consider his first appointment date and his retirement, he only served government for six years, therefore he is not eligible for pension under DBS. However, if he has other career documents, he can forward them to PTAD for review and resolution.

ADEKUNLE: Dear Omobola, some NITEL and MTEL retirees and l did our verification since January 20I8 but we are yet to get our due pension from PTAD. We are about 48. Our names have been forwarded to PTAD since 2020, but it said we should exercise patience. I received a five-year pension in 2007, 2009, and 2010. Kindly help us.

Read Also: The Road to 2027

PTAD: We contacted this pensioner on 08050772683 to provide his verification slip or BVN as the account number he provided (6050283692) is not in our record. But he said he was not at home.

ONIPEDE: Good day, my name is Onipede, I am a severance retiree of February 2007. We were short paid of gratuity and the monthly pension from inception was wrong. This made the increments and amendments have no effect on our monthly pension. Also, the Federal Government circular of ‘Consequential Adjustment in Pension Arising from the Implementation of National Minimum Wage’ with effective date April 18, 2019 has not been effected for NIPOST retirees. Early this year, your office issued a communiqué that anomalies would be corrected by March 2024. But to our surprise it was not done till date. Why is this so? Also why did the core ministries’ retirees receive 45 per cent more than NIPOST. This is even as parastatals like Power Holding, NITEL and others are receiving better pension. I want to know what type of parastatal is NIPOST.

PTAD: Kindly provide us with the hardcopy of your Bank Statement from retirement till date to enable us process your complaint of non-payment of gratuity. Also note that you are required to attach a complaint letter addressed to the Executive Secretary and that we are reviewing and re-computing the Back End Computation.