Tag: PTAD

Pensioners are still relishing in reforms that has changed the narrative of pension administration under the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS)

Changing the Narrative

Over the last nine years, PTAD has worked hard to address challenges and transform the management of the DBS in several significant ways. Over time, there has been Management of Pensioners Files/Records, Verification of Pensioners, Computation or Calculation of Pension Benefits, Settlement/Payment of Pension Arrears, 33 Per Cent Arrears, Death Benefits, Among Others; Management of the Monthly Pension Payroll; And Resolution of Pensioners’ Complaints

PTAD has reorganized, repackaged and archived pensioner’s personnel files and verification files. In the same vein, PTAD created a field verification process that respects the dignity of senior citizens. Multiple verification centers were used so that crowds would not be too large and a simple four step process from arrival to completion of verification, to minimise stress was achieved.

There is provision of a conducive environment inside event centers/halls with chairs and tables for pensioners; refreshments that included lunch and water were provided for pensioners; provision of wheel chairs; and stand-by Ambulances or First Aid, at centres.

Mobile verification

PTAD also deployed mobile verification to ensure no qualified pensioner was left uncaptured. Pensioners that were aged, infirm, sick or physically challenged were also captured by sending mobile teams to pensioners their homes, in hospitals among others.

PTAD Mobile Teams have visited over 80 different cities, towns and villages and countless hospitals across the entire nation, including every state capital.

Pensioner Verification

PTAD inherited 268,897 pensioners on payrolls of the Old Pension Offices at inception. Through verification, PTAD has created a centralized database, complete with pensioners personal information, biometrics, and career documents. The database is the first of its kind in DBS history and as such its integrity is paramount.

Computation & Payroll Management

A Benefits Computation System has been created to make it easier to calculate pensioners’ benefits with minimum manual interference. The Payroll Management System helps with managing changes/updates to the monthly pension payments. The payroll is then uploaded to the government-approved GIFMIS platform for payments to pensioners. Monthly Pension as at December 2022.

Complaints Resolution

Prior to PTAD, the Complaints Desk at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation lacked adequate capacity and was not sufficiently resourced. Complaints management had poor customer service. It also did not have an efficient tracking process, and so was not able to provide prompt and timely complaints resolution. The Complaints Management System allows us to register pensioners’ complaints and track progress to resolution.

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Pensioners can send in their complaints in a number of ways:

Walk-In to any of our contact centers at HQ or any of 11 State Offices; write a letter to the Executive Secretary; Call or Send an Email to Our Call Center; Fill Complaint on Our Website; Post Message On Social Media (Twitter Or Facebook). Eleven state liaison offices have been set up and are fully equipped.

The Narrative Has Changed

With respect to the administration of pensions under the DBS, pension reform has been a success. The overall success is not just as the result of deploying information technology, more critically it has been as a result of political will and strong support from the current administration and key stakeholders; strategic and strong leadership at the helm of PTAD; Efficient and effective deployment of available of resources and human capital, and the investment in human capital development; Creativity, Initiative, Passion, Commitment and Empathy of PTAD management and staff; and Collaboration and support from pensioners and their union representatives.

Future Plans

I AM ALIVE Confirmation solution has been slated for database cleanup. Launched April 2023, so far 50,553 have been confirmed “Alive”. There is improved welfare of our pensioners, including access to health insurance for pensioners; Increased coverage across Nigeria – opening more State Offices; Harmonization of pensions to enable pensioners who retired on the same grade level and step under the same organisation at different years  earn a unified pension for equity; and  Implement Constitutional provision of five yearly Pension increment due in 2024.

ODUNTAN: Good day, I am sending this message on behalf of my dad. His pension monthly is over N51,000 but he was paid N37,000 for the month of October. We want to know what went wrong.

PTAD: The Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD) of the Directorate will respond soon.            

BASSEY: I am Sgt Bassey, I have not received my pension for the month of October. Kindly help me.

PTAD: The Police Pension Department (PPD) has represented all failed payment.

ANNONYMOUS: Good day, I am one of the pensioners that did verification six months ago. I am surprised some people have done the second time. Please I am alive but up till now no message has sent to me for the second verification as others have done. Please advise me on what to do.

PTAD: The pensioner is not reachable through phone.

OWEI: Hello, I am a pensioner, NIPOST retiree precisely. I have been getting my stipend all the time but to my utmost surprise in October, I was short paid by N4000.

PTAD: The Parastatals Pension Department (PAPD) to respond

GODWIN: Good day, my name is Godwin. I withdrew from the force on 1/6/95 and I started enjoying pension from 26/2/2002 till September 3. I have not been paid October. I learned that I missed verification. Please I’m alive. Thanks for your prompt consideration.

PTAD: The pensioner is not reachable through phone.

TIMOTHY: My name is Timothy from Oyo State. I want to know what was used to compute my monthly pension since October 1993. I have been on federal share since 1993. Kindly save my poor situation.

PTAD: The pensioner is not reachable through phone.

CHUKWUDUBRM: Hello, my father Chukwudubem, a retired police man did not receive his money for October 2023 . Please we need assistance from your good office. Thank you

PTAD: The pensioner is not reachable through phone.

ANNONYMOUS: My name is Adesiyan, I am one of the federal pensioner from Osun State. My problem is that I have tried to confirm my “I’M ALIVE” program for more 10 times. The message comes back as ‘Verification Failed and Faces do not Match’. What can I do to solve this problem?

PTAD: Pensioner contacted and advised to locate a cyber café to do fingerprint option.

Read Also: PTAD: Resolving pensioners’ issues

ANONYMOUS: Good day, I will like to know if my father is eligible for pension under Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). He was appointed on July 3, 1989 and was removed on April 27, 1999.

PTAD: No Name and Details Provided.

SUNDAY: Good day, my name is Sunday from Cross River State. My father died since July 10, 2005 while in police service.

 He is late inspector Okimba. His last place of service is Akwa-Ibom State. I went on to process his entitlement as his next of kin in 2015 at PTAD office Abuja where I was verified and captured with pensioner number. But up till date, I have not been paid. Kindly help me.

PTAD: There was incomplete documentation at the time of verification. NOK is requested to come forward with these additional documents Enlistment form; Emolument form; Letter of Administration; ; Marriage Certificate; Introduction Letter from Last Command; Valid Means of Identification; NOK’s Birth Certification; and NOK’s BVN.

ABDULLAHI: I am Abdullahi from Jos Plateau State. My father was a staff with Ministry of Defence, civilian units for 16 years before he died in 1995. I have attended various screening and verifications and the last one was in Jos in 2017. I have submitted all the required documents for the payment of gratuity and pension benefits as a Next of Kin (NOK), but up to no avail. In 2020 I was called from PTAD to submit some documents including bank account details which I did. From your publication of my case, PTAD is asking for is verification number which I scanned and sent since then. I hope Omobola will assist me.

PTAD: NOK should provide deceased name and Bank statement.

SUNDAY: Good day, my name is Sunday from Cross River State. My father died since July 10, 2005 while in police service. He is late inspector Okimba. His last place of service is Akwa-Ibom State. I went on to process his entitlement as his next of kin in 2015 at PTAD office Abuja where I was verified and captured with pensioner number. But up till date, I have not been paid. Kindly help me.

PTAD: There was incomplete documentation at the time of verification. NOK is requested to come forward with these additional documents Enlistment form; Emolument form; Letter of Administration; ; Marriage Certificate; Introduction Letter from Last Command; Valid Means of Identification; NOK’s Birth Certification; and NOK’s BVN.

ABDULLAHI: I am Abdullahi from Jos Plateau State. My father was a staff with Ministry of Defence, civilian units for 16 years before he died in 1995. I have attended various screening and verifications and the last one was in Jos in 2017. I have submitted all the required documents for the payment of gratuity and pension benefits as a Next of Kin (NOK), but up to no avail. In 2020 I was called from PTAD to submit some documents including bank account details which I did. From your publication of my case, PTAD is asking for is verification number which I scanned and sent since then. I hope Omobola will assist me.

PTAD: NOK should provide deceased name and Bank statement.

DAMARIS: Good day, I am Damaris from Imo State, Owerri, Ikeduru Local Government area. I retired in December 1, 2000 from primary school SPEB. My retirement number is anonymous. My grade level is 128. My pension type is local government. We were owed for four years before we started getting our pay. I received my last pension pay in June 2020. Kindly help me.

PTAD: Pensioner retired from Local Government.

BAWA: Dear Omobola, we are the administrator of our late father Bawa. He worked with immigration service from 1987 and was down size during the presidential task force of 2006. Since then, we have not been paid a Kobo. We don’t know where to go or what to do sir. Kindly help us out.

PTAD: NOK was contacted to come for verification

• Ejikeme bows out

A new Executive Secretary in person of Miss Tolulope Abiodun Odunaiya yesterday took over the affairs of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) yesterday, The Nation, has learnt.

This came following the appointment of Miss Odunaiya by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

She takes over from Dr. Chioma Nnenna Ejikeme who was the Executive Secretary from August 2019 to November 2024.

A statement by the Head, Corporate Communications Unit, Olugbenga Ajayi read: “We are delighted to inform our Publics especially PTAD pensioners and other stakeholders of the appointment of Miss Tolulope Abiodun Odunaiya by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the substantive Executive Secretary of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

 “Miss Odunaiya assumed office today, 18th November, 2024 at the PTAD Headquarters where management and staff of the Directorate welcomed her warmly. She is taking over from Dr. Chioma Nnenna Ejikeme who was the Executive Secretary from August 2019 to November 2024.

 “In a brief meeting with the management and staff of the Directorate, the new ES promised to build on the legacy of her predecessors and the staff which she believes has brought PTAD to its enviable status. Miss Odunaiya said, “It is with a deep sense of responsibility and purpose that I address you as the new Executive Secretary of this Directorate. I want to begin by acknowledging the remarkable work of my predecessors and the dedication of every individual who has contributed to bringing us to this point”.

She promised the staff a new chapter—“one where collaboration, unity, and shared purpose drive our efforts toward meaningful outcomes and lasting progress.

She also said: “My vision is for a Directorate where every individual feels recognised, empowered, and motivated to make meaningful contributions.

 “I urge all of us to transcend personal interests and come together around our shared purpose: improving the lives of our pensioners, who have selflessly served this nation, often in challenging circumstances”.

Miss Odunaiya reinstated that “pensioners are the backbone of our country’s history and development, having devoted their time, skills, and energy to building the Nigeria we inherit today.

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 “It is both our responsibility and our honor to ensure they receive the care, respect, and timely entitlements they deserve. Their sacrifices must never be forgotten, and through our collective efforts, we can reaffirm their value to the nation and make their retirement years fulfilling”.

The Head of Corporate Communications further stated that the new ES vowed to align with PTAD’s mission and vision with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for a prosperous Nigeria.

“By prioritizing efficiency, accountability, and compassion, we will contribute to a nation where every citizen feels valued and supported—especially those who dedicated their lives to public service”.

She thereafter took a tour round the Departments and Units of the Directorate to get first-hand information on the administration and processes at the Directorate, Ajayi relayed.

PTAD: Resolving Pensioners’ Issues

JIJI: Dear Omobola, my name is Jiji. I am a retiree from Lower Benue River basin. I started work in October 1981 but was compulsorily retired in April 1996 after working for 14 years and six months. PTAD has cancelled the six months and is paying me pension based on 14 years’ service only. Why? The second issue is that the recent 20 per cent pension increase was not properly calculated for me. My monthly pension before was N32,965.89. PTAD paid me arrears 46,328.77 when you spread this over a period of eight months you get N5,791.096 my pension now should be N38,756.99 but PTAD is paying me N34,746.57since September 24. Kindly help me.

DANGERH: Dear Omobola, good day. I am Dangerh, a retiree from Lower Benue River Basin. I have issues to be addressed. The recent 20 per cent pension increase is wrongly calculated. My pension before the increase was N20,355.48. PTAD paid me N19,850.31 instead of N24,426.58 but PTAD is paying me only  N19,850.31since September 2024. My branch chairman had already sent this issue to PTAD but I still need your help.

ANONYMOUS: Good day, I have not received my pension for the month of September and October stipend. Kindly help me.

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AYODELE: Hello, my complaint is about underpayment of monthly pensions. I wish to put up a reminder that I am yet to get neither acknowledgement nor response regarding my complaints to your organisation about three weeks ago on the above subject matter. This is after promises by your receptionists to deliver my complaints to the appropriate authority for further necessary actions. In October last year, I was surprised to notice a huge deduction of N48,861.19 from my monthly pension of N154,015.36, for an excuse tagged overpayment of pension and which was not earlier communicated to me officially. From my computations of the deductions , I believe that it was wrong to have carried out such deductions. By the way, I started working in 1970 and retired from service on August 1, 2005 from Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, Kaduna (NITR), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, as a Chief Technical Officer Laboratory Instruments, on HATISS 13, Step 9. As at the time of retirement, my pension was N92,170.75. However, two years later, August, 2007, to be precise, there was a 15 per cent pension increment that jerked my pension up to N105,996.36. Three years later, which was August, 2010, there was another 33 per cent increment of N34,978.80 that leveraged my pension to N140,975.16. And in April, 2019, there was a consequential pension adjustments of 0.0925 per cent or N13,040.20, which finally brought my current pension to N154,015.36.

 But surprisingly, from October, 2023, I observed with surprise that, a huge chunk of N48,861.19 monthly deductions were made till date from my pensions, with the excuse that, there were some overpayments made all along, which in actual fact is not true from the indebt analysis I have proffered.  The pension refund I expect from you as of April, 2024 is N342,028.33 which I am believing would be paid this month. These shortfalls have been causing me a whole lot of financial setbacks. I am equally in the know that a review committee was set up towards the end of last year by the Executive Secretary, PTAD to tidy these grievances which are not limited to me or my parastatal alone but to several others. Times are pretty hard for even workers not to talk of vulnerable pensioners whose pays are nothing to write home about. At this juncture, i am imploring you to use your good offices to write this wrong, by reversing to status quo and refunds made back as quickly as possible. Thanks and God bless.

THE NATION: The Newspaper will intervene by sending your complaint to PTAD. Therefore, JIJI, DANGERH and AYODELE should watch out for the pension page on Wednesdays for response from PTAD and subsequently every Wednesday for pension news.

THE NATION: The Newspaper will intervene by sending your complaint to PENCOM. Therefore, AIMINHIEFE, ALEXANDER, UCHARA, STEPHEN, MUSA, AKINTOYE, ABDULLAHI, MRS MATTHEW, GREAT, YUSUF and BRAIMAH should watch out for the pension page on Wednesdays for response from PENCOM and subsequently every Wednesday for pension news.

ADEBISI: My name is Adebisi, I retired from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in December 1996 and was getting paid my pension until August 2020 when payment was stopped. I did verification in Lagos in July 2023 to restore my pension payment but up till now, I have not heard anything. I retired from NAN in 1996 on Grade Level 14. I saw my complaint published in The Nation edition of Wednesday, September 11, 2024. However, it was stated my complaint without indicating what is being done to rectify the situation. Thanks all the same for the publication. It at least, shows that PTAD is aware of my case, and hopefully something will be done to restore my pension. Thanks and Regards.

TITILAYO: Good day sir, kindly let me know when the verification of the retired Primary School teacher will start.

AKAGBOSU: Subject: Nonpayment of monthly pension. Good day, my name is Akagbosu, the eldest child and next of kin to Mrs Akagbosu, the complainant. Her monthly pension benefits for several months have not been paid. She retired as a staff of NIFOR since March 10th 1994. She received her monthly pension up to October 14, 2016. She has not received any monthly pension payments due to her since retirement. She did PTAD verification at Imaguero 1,Benin City on May 29, 2019. She also complained severally at the PTAD Benin City office on different occasions of which she was given complaint form to fill and also attached all necessary documents needed, alongside for follow up and also do I AM ALIVE capturing, all to no avail. This nonpayment of her monthly pension benefits has worsened her conditions badly, and presently she is battling partial stroke/hypertension and eyes sight diseases.

Read Also: PTAD: Resolving pensioners’ issues

Kindly use your good office to intercede for her to ensure that she is restored back on payroll for her to be getting her monthly benefits and also back loads of arrears are paid to her promptly. Thanks for your anticipated response.

DR SAMSON:  Thank you for the good job you are doing to help pensioners to get their entitlements. I am Dr Samson. I retired in May 2008 on consolidated salary from Oyo State Civil Service. Duly completed gratuity and pension documents were sent to PTAD before my retirement date to enable it to pay Federal Government portion of my retirement package. I was not placed on monthly pension until 27 months after my retirement. Up till today my gratuity and 27 months of pension arrears are yet to be paid. I have participated in all verification exercises carried out at Ibadan by PTAD and on each occasion resubmitted my pension documents including my bank statements. PTAD officials would promise to take action on my outstanding entitlements but this has not happened. A friend of mine in Abuja visited their office more than six times on my behalf in 2020 and 2021. PTAD confirmed they were in possession of all my necessary documents and I should expect payment soon. Yet no payment made to me. My entitlement had been outstanding since 2008 which make 16 years. I hope PTAD will rise up to its responsibility and pay my outstanding entitlements. By the grace of God I’m close to 80 years of age. Dr Samson

AKINMUSAYO: Good day, my complaint bothers on my father who retired 19 years ago. He is yet to be paid his gratuity. He retired in May 2004 from the Ministry Defence.

PTAD: Good day, your father’s gratuity has been computed and audited

PAUL: It is pertinent to note that all retired police officers in the PTAD, were notified of “I AM ALIVE” programme through website in 2023. I was among those PTAD has text to do “I am Alive” confirmation in October 20, 2024. To this end, I was mandated to do it on October 2010/2024. I got a text again to do my “I’m Alive” confirmation before February 10, 2024. When I contacted some of my colleagues to know whether PTAD had sent such information to them, they said no. With this, I became worried. I revisited the last “I’m ALIVE” confirmation website I did and I was informed that the last done on October 20, 2023 will expire on  April 20, 2024. So, I want to know categorically from PTAD what is the time limit for the confirmation. Should it be done instead of someone or a member of the staff calling indiscriminately and sending text message.

PTAD: Please disregard any text message asking you to verify that you are still alive before the six-month period expires.

Read Also: PTAD: Resolving pensioners’ issues

ODUNTAN: Good day, I am sending this message on behalf of my dad. His pension monthly is over N51,000 but he was paid N37,000 for the month of October. We want to know what went wrong.

PTAD: The Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD) of the Directorate will respond soon.          

BASSEY: I am Sgt Bassey, I have not received my pension for the month of October. Kindly help me.

PTAD: The Police Pension Department (PPD) has represented all failed payment.

ANNONYMOUS: Good day, I am one of the pensioners that did verification six months ago. I am surprised some people have done the second time. Please I am alive but up till now no message has sent to me for the second verification as others have done. Please advise me on what to do.

PTAD: The pensioner is not reachable through phone.

PAUL: It is pertinent to note that all retired police officers in the PTAD, were notified of “I AM ALIVE” programme through website in 2023. I was among those PTAD had text to do “I am Alive” confirmation in October, 2024. To this end, I was mandated to do it on October 20,2024. I got a text again to do my “I’m Alive” confirmation before February 10, 2024. When I contacted some of my colleagues to know whether PTAD had sent such information to them, they said no. With this, I became worried. I revisited the last “I’m ALIVE” confirmation website I did and I was informed that the last done on October 20,2023 will expire on April 20, 2024. So, I want to know from PTAD what is the time limit for the confirmation.When  will it be done instead of someone or a member of the staff calling indiscriminately and sending text message.

PTAD: Please disregard any text message asking you to verify, that you are still alive before the six-month period expires.

AKINMUSAYO: Good day, my complaint bothers on my father who retired 19 years ago. He is yet is be paid gratuity. His name is and he retired in May 2004 from the Ministry Defence.

PTAD: Good day, your father’s gratuity has been computed and audited

ODUNTAN: Good day, I am sending this message on behalf of my dad. His pension monthly is over N51,000 but he was paid N37,000 for the month of October. We want to know what went wrong.

PTAD: The Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD) of the Directorate will respond soon.      

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BASSEY: I am Sgt Bassey, I have not received my pension for the month of October. Kindly help me.

PTAD: The Police Pension Department (PPD) has represented all failed payment.

ANNONYMOUS: Good day, I am one of the pensioners that did verification six months ago. I am surprised some people have done the second time. Please I am alive but up till now no message has sent to me for the second verification as others have done. Please advise me on what to do.

PTAD: The pensioner is not reachable through phone.

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has transited its website into a more user friendly site where pensioners can be better informed.

The website expresses the directorate’s core values of learning, innovation and growth; empathy; accountability and transparency; and professionalism

The directorate stated that its mission and vision is to achieve stakeholders’ satisfaction through the delivery of exceptional pension services while it also be a model organisation delivering innovative, efficient and sustainable pension services.

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In a statement to pensioners across the country on twitter handle, the Executive Director, PTAD, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme stated: “Dear pensioner, we would like to inform you that there will be a planned outage of the directorate’s website on Monday October 21, 2024 to effect change to a new and more vibrant website.

“This new website which has been designed using the wordpress Content Management System (CMS) is to better serve our pensioners and other related stakeholders.

“During this period, our primary website will be unavailable. All other essential services, including email and the “I Am Alive” service through the url:https://iamalive.ptad.gov.ng/ remains fully operational. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we diligently work to complete the transition to the new website as quickly as possible”, she noted.

Meanwhile, checks by the newspaper on the website as at press time been renewed and operational.