Hobnob News
President Bola Tinubu has approved a comprehensive package of reforms to settle long-standing pension backlogs and enhance welfare benefits for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) confirmed on Friday.
The approval follows a formal request from PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, for an emergency budgetary allocation to implement the measures.
According to PTAD, the reforms include:
₦32,000 pension increment for DBS retirees.
Percentage increases for pensioners of defunct and privatised agencies.
Full pension harmonisation across all DBS categories.
Enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Settlement of long-standing unfunded liabilities, including arrears owed to NITEL/MTEL and other parastatal pensioners.
PTAD’s Head of Corporate Communications, Olugbenga Ajayi, confirmed that the President approved additional budgetary allocations for the 2026 pension budget to fund the new rates, harmonisation policy, and health insurance coverage.
Describing the move as “a turning point for DBS pension administration,” Odunaiya praised the President for what she called “historic approvals” that reflect his commitment to equity, social justice, and the dignity of Nigeria’s senior citizens.
“These measures will address long-standing disparities in pension rates, improve access to healthcare, and reaffirm the government’s dedication to the welfare of retirees,” she said.
The DBS applies to pensioners who retired before the Contributory Pension Scheme was introduced in 2004, including workers from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals — many of whom have faced years of delayed payments and inadequate healthcare.
PTAD assured that the reforms will be implemented in phases in collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure smooth execution and lasting impact.
