By Sola Alabadan
A total of 146,920 employees joined the Contributory Pension Scheme between January and June 2023, increasing the total contributors from 9.86 million members to over 10 million members during the six months period, the Director-General, National Pension Commission, Mrs. Aisha Dahir-Imar, said.
The PenCom boss who spoke at the seminar organised for journalists in Lagos today, stated that the pension assets also rose from N14.99 trillion in December 2022 to N16.76 trillion at the end of June 2023.
The theme of this year’s seminar was “Transforming Service Delivery in the Pension Industry: Strategies for Improving Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction”.
She pointed out that PenCom’s proactive regulatory approach has strengthened the oversight and governance of pension funds, promoting transparency, accountability and safeguarding the interests of pension contributors.
The seminar featured three enlightening papers addressing essential aspects of the pension system’s service delivery. The first paper, “Enhancing Customer Service in the Pension Industry: PenCom’s New Strategic Plan,” highlighted the Commission’s latest initiatives to elevate customer service. “The creation of the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) underscores PenCom’s determination to prioritise service delivery and provide our Retirement Savings Account holders with the care and attention they rightfully deserve,” she stressed.
The second paper, “Strengthening Regulatory Oversight for Improved Service Delivery in the Pension Industry,” explored how regulatory measures can effectively bolster the quality of services provided in the pension sector.
According to her, “Regulatory oversight is pivotal in maintaining transparency, fairness, and efficiency, which are the cornerstones of our pension system”.
The third paper, “Improving Accessibility and Service Delivery in RSA Mortgage Financing,” was presented by the Chief Executive Officer of the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp), Oguche Agudah.
The presentation delved into the crucial area of mortgage financing, addressing ways to enhance accessibility and service delivery for our eligible Retirement Savings Account holders.
She added that the CPS has ensured that public and private sector workers can build retirement savings throughout their working lives, fostering financial security during their golden years.
