Retirees under the umbrella of the Concerned Federal Pensioners association have called on the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to ensure that all eligible pensioners are included on the payroll and that outstanding arrears are settled without further delay.
Akinyele Oludimu, the Vice Chairman of the Concerned Federal Pensioners, expressed the association’s hopes and expectations for the New Year in a conversation with Daily Independent. Oludimu highlighted several critical issues that the retirees are seeking to be addressed by PTAD, including the full inclusion of eligible pensioners, the prompt payment of outstanding arrears, and the disbursement of gratuities for those who have yet to receive their benefits.
“My expectations this year are for every eligible pensioner to be put on the payroll, outstanding arrears to be paid promptly, and gratuities for pensioners, especially those who have not received them, should be cleared,” Oludimu said. “Health Insurance for pensioners should also be looked into, and the approved minimum wage for pensioners should be implemented without delay.”
One of the key concerns raised by Oludimu was the ongoing implementation of the N32,000 pension increment, which the Federal Government approved earlier in 2024. While PTAD had begun paying the increment, retirees noted that the payment of arrears was incomplete.
“PTAD commenced the payment of the N32,000 increment by paying four months of arrears instead of the full six months,” Oludimu added. “We urge them to release the balance of two months as soon as possible. Let’s put pressure on them to ensure that happens.”
In December 2024, PTAD Executive Secretary Tolulope Odunaiya had announced the implementation of the N32,000 pension increment for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, which was retroactively applied to July 2024. During her address at the National Executive Meeting of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Odunaiya assured pensioners that PTAD was finalizing plans to clear the arrears linked to the increase.
She explained that this increment would result in a higher monthly payroll of N5.3 billion and an annual payroll of N63.6 billion for PTAD. Odunaiya further promised that all accrued arrears related to the N32,000 increment would be cleared by the start of the New Year.
While PTAD has made progress in addressing some of the pensioners’ concerns, the Concerned Federal Pensioners remain vocal about the need for faster action, especially with regard to the payment of outstanding gratuities and arrears. As the New Year unfolds, retirees are hopeful that PTAD will meet their expectations and address the long-standing challenges they face.
