The Federal Government has intensified efforts to improve participation in the ongoing mandatory verification and enrolment exercise for civil servants with accrued pension rights, following low turnout despite the importance of the exercise. 
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) is conducting a one-time nationwide Online Verification and Enrolment Exercise for all active employees of treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) who were employed before June 30, 2004. 
The exercise, which commenced on February 2 and will end on July 31, is aimed at capturing accurate and complete data on eligible workers. This will support the timely payment of their accrued pension rights under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).  
The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to settle pension obligations carried over from the old Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), which existed before the introduction of the CPS in 2004. 
Under Section 15(1) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, employees who moved to the CPS are entitled to accrued pension rights, representing benefits earned under the DBS.
To fund these obligations, the law provides for the establishment of the Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund, domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 
In a circular issued on April 27, 2026, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, directed all treasury-funded MDAs to support the exercise.
The circular emphasised that verification is essential for determining the Federal Government’s outstanding pension liabilities and making adequate budget provisions for their settlement.
Prior to the automation by PenCom a few years ago, the process relied on manual processes that were often affected by incomplete records and delays. The current exercise is fully digital and a significant technological improvement from the initial Online Enrolment platform.
PenCom has now deployed the new Contributions and Bond Redemption Application (COBRA), a secure platform designed to support real-time data capture, validation and processing. 
The platform includes multiple layers of verification, such as biometric capture and cross-checking of employment records. This helps to improve data accuracy and reduce errors that could delay pension payments at retirement. 
To ensure smooth implementation and avoid system congestion, the exercise has been structured in phases. The first phase, which ran from February 2 to March 31, covered employees expected to retire between January 2027 and December 2029. 
The ongoing second phase, from April 1 to July 31, is for employees who will retire from January 2030 onwards. 
PenCom noted that the phased approach will improve coordination, enhance monitoring and ensure that all eligible employees are captured within the timeline. 
Despite these arrangements, participation has remained below expectations.
This led to a directive from the Head of Service mandating full compliance by all treasury-funded MDAs. 
MDAs are required to upload details of eligible employees on the COBRA platform, after which affected employees are to visit their respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) with the necessary documents to complete the process. 
Pension Desk Officers (PDOs), trained by PenCom, are responsible for coordinating the exercise within their organisations and guiding staff through the process. 
PenCom has assured employees that participating in the exercise will enable the computation of the employees accrued pension rights and advise the Federal Government of same for adequate provision to be made. This would further ensure seamless access to benefits immediately after a worker retires.   
With the deadline approaching, the Federal Government has urged Permanent Secretaries and heads of MDAs to widely publicise the directive and ensure full participation. 
Failure to take part in the exercise may complicate the processing of accrued pension rights at retirement and could lead to delays in accessing benefits. 
As the July 31 deadline draws closer, attention is now on how effectively MDAs mobilise their workforce to close the enrolment gap and support this important step toward securing retirement benefits for public servants. 

World boss Gianni Infantino is keen to introduce the “semi automated offside” system for Fifa’s global showpiece which starts in November.

Trials of the system, which uses 10 cameras to track 29 body points of each player, took place in the Club World Cup won by Liverpool and the Arab Cup held in four of Doha’s eight World Cup stadiums.

And with all the signs that the technology does work, bringing far quicker offside calls than under the current VAR line-led system, world chiefs are due to give a positive update at Monday’s delayed annual general meeting of the law-making International FA Board.

The meeting is being held in Qatar, after the initial March date in Zurich was postponed as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Fifa is understood to be ready to state there are no impediments to the full introduction of the technology.

It means that England’s opener against Iran on November 21 will be only the second game in which the technology is deployed.

But a final decision will be taken by Fifa after a full analysis of the data from the trials.

Fifa referee chief, former Italian whistler Pierluigi Collina, bristles at the use of the term “robot offside”.

He pointed out: “The referees and assistants are still responsible for the decision on the field of play.”

Following his impressive performance in the 2021/22 season, Glasgow Rangers defender Calvin Bassey has been linked with an exit from the Scottish giants, with Bayern Munich and Chelsea in the race for the Nigerian, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

According to Fichajes, the two European giants are set for a fierce battle for the 22-year-old defender.

Bassey raised eyebrows with his solid performances as he helped Rangers reach the final of the Europa League, where he was named the best defender in the final, despite the Scots’ defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties.

The Nigerian has a year and a half left on his current contract, which expires in 2024, but that, according to the publication, will not stop clubs coming for the defender.

“Despite having a contract with Rangers until 2024, Calvin Bassey could make the big leap in the next transfer market,” Fichajes wrote.

“Bayern Munich, after confirming the departure of Niklas Süle, in addition to the arrival of Antonio Rüdiger at Real Madrid, the Bavarian team has been left without possible troops at the rear. For this reason, Calvin Bassey is presented as a possible candidate to reinforce the defensive plot.

“Chelsea are in the best position to sign the Nigerian defender. After the departure of Antonio Rüdiger, added to the more than possible departures of César Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen, those from Stamford Bridge must urgently reinforce the defensive plot. Calvin Bassey, adapted to British football, would be a great addition.”

The Leicester City academy product made a total of 50 appearances for the Gers and had six assists in all competitions.

Punc