FG clears N39.6 billion pension arrears, settles liabilities for over 24,000 retirees

The federal government has cleared N39.6 billion in outstanding pension arrears, settling longstanding liabilities owed to more than 24,000 retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

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The payment, announced on Friday, covers pension obligations inherited from defunct public enterprises and financial institutions, bringing relief to thousands of pensioners who had waited years for their entitlements.

The development was disclosed during a meeting between the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Tolulope Odunaiya, according to a statement issued by the ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Efe Ovuakporie.

Mrs Odunaiya said N25.05 billion was used to settle 35 months of pension arrears owed to 9,675 eligible pensioners of the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and its mobile subsidiary, MTEL.

She added that N9.48 billion was paid as the first 50 per cent instalment of Back-End Computation arrears due to 3,959 eligible pensioners of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

According to her, another N5.09 billion cleared the balance of pension increment arrears owed to 11,180 retirees of Assurance Bank, NICON, NITEL and People’s Bank.

Mrs Odunaiya explained that presidential approval for the payments was granted in August 2025, while funding was provided through the 2026 Appropriation Act.

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She said the exercise has now cleared all inherited pension liabilities under the Defined Benefit Scheme.

“The payments have cleared all inherited pension liabilities under the Defined Benefit Scheme, bringing long-awaited relief to the affected pensioners,” she said.

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Mr Oyedele commended PTAD for successfully implementing the payment programme, describing it as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to prudent fiscal management and fulfilling its obligations to retirees.

According to him, settling the outstanding liabilities restores confidence in the pension system and helps preserve the dignity of retired public servants.

The minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforms aimed at strengthening public financial management and improving pension administration across the country.

He said the exercise aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to improve the welfare of pensioners while promoting greater confidence in public institutions.