PTAD disburses N3.9bn to 91,146 retirees

The (PTAD)  Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate has concluded the disbursement of N3.9 billion in outstanding arrears to 91,146 qualified pensioners under the Federal Government’s Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). This update was disclosed in Abuja through an official statement released on Friday by PTAD’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Olugbenga Ajayi.

Ajayi explained that the payment marks a significant step in the implementation of the N32,000 pension increment approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at enhancing the welfare of retirees and addressing long-standing gaps in pension adjustments. He provided a detailed breakdown of the disbursed funds across various pension departments managed by PTAD.

According to him, the Parastatals Pension Department received the largest share, with N1.9 billion paid to 59,865 pensioners. This was followed by the Civil Service Pension Department, which got N830 million for 12,976 pensioners, while the Police Pension Department accounted for N620 million, paid to 9,689 retired officers.

He added that the remaining N551 million was paid to 8,616 pensioners under the joint pension department for the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Prisons Service. Ajayi noted that completing this phase of arrears settlement reflects PTAD’s ongoing commitment to transparency, efficiency, and the prioritisation of pensioners’ welfare.

In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Dr. Tolulope Odunaiya, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to clear all outstanding pension liabilities and improve the living conditions of retirees under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. She emphasised that the latest disbursement is part of broader reforms designed to restore confidence in the pension system and ensure that pensioners receive the benefits due to them in a timely manner.

Earlier reports by PUNCH Online highlighted that PTAD had announced the rollout of the new pension increments for retirees under the DBS structure, with implementation scheduled to begin during the September 2025 payroll cycle. The increment package consists of a fixed N32,000 addition to monthly pensions, as well as percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for specific categories of beneficiaries. These adjustments are expected to impact approximately 832,000 pensioners currently under PTAD’s management.

The introduction of the new increments and the payment of accumulated arrears come as part of comprehensive efforts to harmonise pension benefits and address disparities affecting long-retired public sector workers. PTAD noted that the initiative is aligned with the administration’s focus on improving the socioeconomic well-being of senior citizens who dedicated decades of service to the nation.

With this latest payout, PTAD has reassured pensioners that it will continue to prioritise the clearance of all verified arrears while strengthening its administrative processes to prevent future accumulation of unpaid benefits. The Directorate urged pensioners to maintain updated records and continue engaging with PTAD through its official communication channels for timely resolution of any pension-related issues.