CHIDI UGWU, ABUJA
The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has disbursed a total of N3.9 billion in arrears to 91,146 eligible pensioners under Nigeria’s Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).
The payment is part of the N32,000 monthly pension increment approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, aimed at improving pensioners’ welfare nationwide.
Olugbenga Ajayi, Head of Corporate Communications, in a statement, said the payment breakdown reveals that N1.9 billion was paid to 59,865 pensioners under the Parastatals Pension Department, N830 million to 12,976 pensioners from the Civil Service Pension Department, N620 million to 9,689 pensioners under the Police Pension Department, and N551 million to 8,616 pensioners under the Customs, Immigration, and Prisons Pension Department.
PTAD Executive Secretary, Tolulope A. Odunaiya, emphasized the Federal Government’s sustained commitment to resolving outstanding pension arrears and enhancing the living conditions of retirees.
The initiative aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda launched by President Tinubu, which underscores social welfare improvements as a key priority.
PTAD was established to manage transitional arrangements involving pension payments to retirees from the Defined Benefit Scheme following the pension reforms introduced in 2014.
For years, pensioners under the DBS faced delayed payments and accumulated arrears due to administrative and financial challenges.
The recent disbursement marks a significant step toward clearing legacy debts to pensioners and reinforcing government’s promise to ensure timely and adequate pension payments going forward.
Analysts expect this move to improve retirees’ economic wellbeing and restore confidence in Nigeria’s pension management system.
The payment completion comes amid broader efforts by the Federal Government to stabilize the pension sector, enhance transparency, and introduce sustainable pension reforms for public sector employees.
The announcement on 14 November 2025 confirmed PTAD’s dedication to upholding pensioners’ rights as part of Nigeria’s ongoing social development agenda.
