TINUBU EARNS PRAISE FROM PENSIONERS OVER ARREARS SETTLEMENT
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abumisi, has praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the payment of N39.6 billion in outstanding pension increase arrears owed to retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme.
Abumisi made the remarks during an interview with TVC News shortly after the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and the Ministry of Finance announced the disbursement on Friday.
He said the payment, along with other pension-related interventions by the Federal Government, had boosted pensioners’ confidence in the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of senior citizens.
“We are very happy with the current administration. No president in Nigeria has done as much for pensioners as President Bola Tinubu. His efforts have been unprecedented,” Abumisi said.
The pensioners’ leader highlighted several measures he credited to the President, including the release of N758 billion to clear pension and gratuity arrears owed to retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme, as well as N58 billion for pension arrears under the Defined Benefit Scheme.
According to him, the latest approval of N39.6 billion covers the 10.6 per cent pension increase arrears owed to eligible pensioners.
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“He approved N39.6 billion for the payment of the 10.6 per cent pension increment arrears. He also released N758 billion for pension and gratuity arrears under PENCOM and provided N58 billion for pension liabilities under the Defined Benefit Scheme.
“We commend him, appreciate his efforts and remain hopeful that more will be done to improve the welfare of pensioners across the country,” he said.
Responding to questions on whether the development had strengthened pensioners’ trust in the government, Abumisi noted that monthly pensions had been paid more consistently since the administration came into office.
He said the government had demonstrated a strong commitment to the welfare of elderly Nigerians and had taken steps to ensure the timely payment of pensions.
“Since this administration assumed office, pensioners have received their payments more regularly, and many of the delays that previously plagued the system have been addressed,” he said.
Abumisi also urged retirees to continue supporting the government and back Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“My advice to fellow pensioners is to remain supportive of this administration because of what it has done for us. We should also support the President’s return to office in 2027,” he added.
The Federal Government had earlier announced the settlement of more than N39 billion in outstanding pension liabilities inherited from several defunct public institutions, including NITEL/MTEL, PHCN, Assurance Bank, NICON and the former People’s Bank of Nigeria.
According to PTAD, the payments include N25.05 billion for 35 months of pension arrears owed to 9,675 eligible NITEL/MTEL pensioners, N9.48 billion as the first tranche of Back End Computation arrears for 3,959 PHCN retirees, and N5.09 billion for outstanding pension increment arrears owed to 11,180 pensioners from Assurance Bank, NICON, NITEL and People’s Bank.
PTAD Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, described the payments as part of the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that presidential approval was granted in August 2025, while funding was provided through the 2026 Appropriation Act.
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