PTAD Reaffirms Implementation of Revised Consequential Pension Adjustment

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has reiterated its commitment to the revised implementation of the Consequential Pension Adjustment (CPA) for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), assuring retirees of timely and accurate payments in line with government directives.In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, reaffirmed that the Directorate remains steadfast in ensuring that all qualified pensioners benefit fully from the revised adjustment. She noted that the exercise is part of PTAD’s broader mandate to sustain transparency, accountability, and fairness in the pension administration process.

Dr. Ejikeme explained that the Consequential Pension Adjustment was introduced following the implementation of the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019, which necessitated corresponding increases in pension benefits for retirees whose earnings are tied to civil service salary structures. The revised implementation ensures that all categories of pensioners under the DBS receive appropriate adjustments to reflect the new wage levels.

“The Federal Government, through PTAD, remains committed to improving the welfare of our senior citizens,” Dr. Ejikeme said. “The revised implementation of the Consequential Pension Adjustment is designed to ensure fairness and consistency, correcting anomalies that may have arisen from earlier computations and ensuring that no pensioner is left behind.”

She noted that the Directorate has already commenced the verification and harmonisation of records across the Civil Service, Police, Parastatal, and Customs, Immigration, and Prisons Pension Departments (CIPPD). The verification process, according to her, is crucial to ensuring that the adjustments are applied accurately, preventing duplication and fraud.

PTAD’s boss further disclosed that the Directorate has continued to work closely with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) and the Budget Office to ensure that funds for the revised pension adjustments are released promptly. She added that all legitimate pensioners who qualify for the adjustment will receive full payment, including arrears, once verification is concluded.

“Our team is ensuring that every pensioner who is entitled to an adjustment receives it. We are applying technology-driven processes to enhance accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in pension payment systems,” she added. “Pensioners can rest assured that PTAD is fully committed to ensuring that their entitlements are processed without delay.”

Dr. Ejikeme also emphasised that PTAD’s operations have been restructured to improve service delivery through digitisation. She highlighted the introduction of the “I Am Alive” confirmation platform, an online verification system that allows pensioners to confirm their status remotely, reducing the need for physical verification exercises and travel burdens for the elderly.

“The era of pensioners queuing for verification under harsh conditions is gone,” she said. “Through our digital initiatives, pensioners can now verify their status from the comfort of their homes. This innovation aligns with PTAD’s vision to simplify pension administration and uphold the dignity of retirees.”

Reacting to concerns raised by some pension unions regarding payment delays and discrepancies, the PTAD Executive Secretary assured retirees that all identified issues are being addressed. She stated that the Directorate has resolved a significant number of complaints from previous adjustment rounds and has implemented stronger audit measures to prevent recurrence.

“The Directorate operates an open-door policy. We encourage pensioners and their unions to engage directly with us rather than rely on misinformation,” Dr. Ejikeme said. “PTAD’s priority is to ensure that pensioners receive their due benefits accurately and on time.”

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), while responding to PTAD’s latest announcement, commended the Directorate for its continued engagement and efforts to enhance pension administration. The union’s General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal, urged the government to sustain funding support for PTAD and ensure that the revised adjustments are implemented across all sectors without bias.

“We appreciate PTAD’s transparency and the measures it has taken to improve payment systems,” Zal stated. “However, we appeal to the Federal Government to prioritise pension funding and ensure that retirees continue to enjoy their benefits as enshrined in the law.”

Stakeholders in the pension industry have also lauded PTAD’s reforms, describing them as a step toward strengthening trust in Nigeria’s public pension system. Economic analyst, Dr. Bisi Olagunju, noted that consistent implementation of the CPA would help stabilise retirees’ income and improve their living standards, especially amid rising inflation and economic uncertainty.

“The revised pension adjustment is vital in cushioning the effects of inflation on retirees,” Olagunju said. “PTAD’s ongoing reforms in digital record management and payment verification will go a long way in enhancing efficiency and preventing corruption in the pension system.”

As part of its next phase, PTAD plans to integrate its pension payment data with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to enhance identity verification and eliminate ghost pensioners. The move, according to the Directorate, will further strengthen its database and improve service delivery to genuine retirees.

Dr. Ejikeme reiterated that PTAD remains accountable to pensioners and the Nigerian public, assuring that every action taken by the Directorate aligns with its mandate to ensure retirees’ welfare and financial security. She encouraged pensioners to remain patient and confident in the Directorate’s processes as the revised adjustments are being rolled out.

“We value our senior citizens and recognise their service to the nation,” she concluded. “PTAD will continue to uphold integrity and compassion in delivering on our promise to make the pension system reliable, transparent, and sustainable for all.”