PTAD Intensifies Efforts to Resolve Pensioners’ Grievances and Strengthen Transparency

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing outstanding issues affecting pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), assuring retirees across Nigeria of improved service delivery, prompt payment of entitlements, and resolution of lingering verification and documentation challenges.The Directorate, responsible for managing the pensions of federal retirees who did not transition to the contributory scheme, said it has taken major steps to restore confidence among pensioners through reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and the use of digital technology in pension administration.

Speaking during an engagement session with retirees in Abuja, PTAD Executive Secretary, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, disclosed that the agency has made substantial progress in settling inherited liabilities and removing irregularities in pension records. She emphasised that the Directorate remains steadfast in resolving pension complaints and ensuring that every verified pensioner receives their benefits without delay.

“We understand the pains many pensioners have endured over the years due to delays and documentation issues,” Ejikeme said. “PTAD has restructured its operations to make pension administration more efficient and responsive. We are working tirelessly to ensure all verified pensioners are paid promptly and that no one who has served this country is left behind.”

She noted that the Directorate has implemented various initiatives to enhance data integrity and accountability, including the Expanded Database Clean-Up Exercise, which eliminated thousands of ghost pensioners from the payroll while ensuring legitimate beneficiaries are fully captured. This, she said, has saved the government billions of naira in overpayments and fraudulent claims.

The PTAD boss also highlighted the success of the “I Am Alive” confirmation platform, a digital solution designed to simplify the verification process for retirees. The platform enables pensioners to confirm their aliveness remotely using smartphones or biometric devices without the need to travel to physical verification centres. “This innovation ensures that our pensioners, particularly the elderly and physically challenged, can complete verification from the comfort of their homes,” she added.

According to Ejikeme, over 95 percent of eligible retirees under PTAD have been verified through the digital platform, significantly reducing administrative bottlenecks and enhancing transparency. She also revealed that the Directorate has cleared several categories of arrears, including gratuities, death benefits, and pension adjustments arising from the implementation of new salary structures.

In her remarks, Ejikeme praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for prioritising the welfare of senior citizens through continuous financial support and policy backing. She reiterated PTAD’s determination to align with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises social inclusion and economic justice for all Nigerians.

“Under this government, we have received strong encouragement to ensure that pensioners enjoy the dignity they deserve after years of dedicated service. We are also partnering with relevant stakeholders to make the pension system more inclusive and transparent,” she stated.

Representatives of pension unions who attended the engagement session commended PTAD’s renewed commitment but urged the agency to address specific issues affecting pensioners in remote areas, such as delayed updates on verification outcomes and communication barriers.

Mr. Sunday Ajayi, a representative of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), acknowledged improvements in PTAD’s responsiveness but appealed for more regional outreach and sensitisation. “We appreciate PTAD’s efforts, especially the online verification platform, which has made life easier for many retirees. However, there are still pensioners in rural areas who lack access to digital tools. We urge PTAD to deploy more local assistance programmes to help them,” he said.

To bridge such gaps, PTAD announced plans to strengthen its regional liaison offices and expand collaboration with local pension unions to ensure effective information flow. The Directorate also revealed that it is working with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to harmonise pension data and streamline payment processing.

Financial analysts have praised PTAD’s reform initiatives as a model for other public institutions. According to Dr. Ifeoma Nwosu, a pension governance expert, the digital verification programme represents a milestone in Nigeria’s public pension management. “The ‘I Am Alive’ platform is a breakthrough in the use of technology to promote efficiency and eliminate corruption in the pension system. It reduces fraud and guarantees that only living, eligible retirees receive payments,” she explained.

The Directorate further disclosed that efforts are ongoing to settle outstanding arrears owed to verified pensioners of defunct federal agencies, including the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), Delta Steel Company, and the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON). Ejikeme assured retirees from these sectors that the government remains committed to clearing all verified liabilities once budgetary provisions are approved.

Beyond payments, PTAD has introduced welfare initiatives aimed at promoting retirees’ well-being. These include collaborations with healthcare providers to offer medical check-ups, partnerships with banks to facilitate easier pension disbursement, and periodic sensitisation programmes to educate pensioners on their rights and entitlements.

Industry observers say these interventions are gradually restoring confidence in Nigeria’s pension administration system, which had been plagued by inefficiency and corruption in the past. They also note that PTAD’s reforms are helping to build trust between retirees and the government while contributing to financial stability.

Ejikeme reaffirmed PTAD’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, warning staff and third-party agents against extortion or unethical practices. She encouraged pensioners to report any suspicious activities directly to the Directorate’s complaints desk or through its official communication channels. “We are committed to transparency, accountability, and service excellence. Any official found guilty of extorting pensioners will face strict disciplinary action,” she warned.

The Directorate’s roadmap for 2025 includes a full transition to digital pension records, faster complaint resolution timelines, and enhanced coordination with the Budget Office and Federal Ministry of Finance to prevent funding delays. These initiatives, PTAD said, will further improve retirees’ experience and ensure that pension payments remain consistent and accurate.

For many pensioners, these reforms represent renewed hope after years of frustration. With the Directorate’s focus on transparency, technology, and inclusivity, PTAD appears poised to redefine Nigeria’s pension management landscape and restore the dignity of those who served the nation faithfully.