Connect with us

Business

PenCom, Head of Service Plan N30bn Gratuity For Workers Annually

Published

on

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are collaborating to introduce a Gratuity Framework for civil servants in treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
This development followed a high-level meeting held recently in Abuja, when the Director General of PenCom, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, paid a courtesy visit to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack.
Speaking about boosting retirement benefits, Ms. Oloworaran informed the Head of Service that PenCom is working on modalities for the establishment of a Gratuity Scheme, in line with Section 4(4)(a) of the Pension Reform Act 2014 for retiring employees of Federal Government treasury-funded MDAs.
The PenCom boss said this has been estimated to cost the federal government only about N30 billion per annum as determined by PenCom and confirmed by the 2024 Stakeholders Committee on outstanding pension liabilities, if retiring federal employees are paid 100% of their last gross annual remuneration.
She said the amount represented a modest but impactful intervention to improve the welfare of those who have served the nation with dedication.
Furthermore, the DG of PenCom highlighted the persistent issue of delayed pension payments due to delay in payment of Accrued Rights. She noted that previous collaboration between PenCom and the Office of the Head of Service yielded significant progress, including securing a Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for a N758 billion bond to clear outstanding pension liabilities under the CPS.
Ms. Oloworaran unveiled a one-time, comprehensive online enrolment exercise to establish the accrued pension rights liability of all serving federal employees of treasury-funded MDAs who were in service prior to June 2004. She said this online verification and enrolment exercise, which will commence from August 2025, will enable PenCom present to the Federal Government the amount so determined with a view to possibly raise a Bond to settle the entire liability once and for all.
The DG added that the determined accrued pension rights for every eligible civil servant will be credited into their individual Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs).
On the benefits of the enrolment, the PenCom DG said retirees will start earning returns on these funds, and the system becomes shielded from political transitions, as Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) will take full control.
In addition, Ms. Oloworaran told the Head of Service that PenCom is developing a digital application to streamline the enrolment process. PenCom plans to deploy the online application by August 2025. She sought OHCSF’s support to issue a circular directing all MDAs to participate in the enrolment and submit the necessary documentation.
Speaking on the challenge of uncredited pension contributions among MDAs not enrolled in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). Ms. Oloworaran said that contributions are often made without accompanying schedules
To address this, the DG said PenCom has introduced a new Pension Contribution Remittance System that requires all employers to henceforth, utilise selected Payment Solution Support Providers (PSSPs) for the remittance of their employees’ contributions. This ensures accurate and prompt remittance of pension contributions into respective RSAs of employees
The DG requested the Head of Service’s assistance in issuing directives to IPPIS Office in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) and MDAs not on IPPIS, such as tertiary institutions, self-funding agencies, and others to henceforth, utilise selected PSSPs for remittance of monthly contributions, effective June 2025,
In response, the HCSF, Mrs. Walson-Jack, expressed her full support for all the initiatives and commended PenCom for its proactive approach to improving pension administration. She pledged to issue the necessary circulars to MDAs and to collaborate closely with PenCom in developing the modalities and securing the approvals for the Gratuity Scheme.
Mrs. Walson-Jack said civil servants have been calling for gratuity and expressed her full backing for the proposed Gratuity Scheme.
To cement the partnership, PenCom and OHCSF agreed to establish a Standing Committee to work on the outlined reforms and address any emerging issues in the future.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Leadway Pensure Urges Nigerians To Embrace Personal Pension Plan

Published

on

By

Leadway Pensure PFA Limited, a licensed pension fund administrators, says Nigeria’s Personal Pension Plan (PPP) will reshape small business owners’ retirement savings, making them more flexible and accessible and ultimately reducing the risk of old-age poverty.
The company maintains that the initiative plays a critical role in Nigerian economic development, given that informal employment remains extremely high.
The country’s informal employment rate reached 92.7 percent in the first quarter of 2024, rising from 92.3 percent in the third quarter of 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Labour Force Survey. Tens of millions of economically active Nigerians operate outside employer-led pension arrangements even as they power the country’s commerce and micro-enterprise economy.
At the same time, the pension ecosystem continues to expand in scale.
PenCom’s unaudited industry portfolio for December 31, 2025, records total pension fund assets at ₦27.451 trillion and counts over 11 million RSA members. These figures underscore the size of the formal pension system and highlight the opportunity to extend participation further through PPP.
Leadway Pensure PFA sees significant growth potential for PPP, along with a notable participation gap. PenCom’s Q3 2025 report reveals that, as of September 30, 2025, over 200,000 workers had registered PPP accounts, but only 7.6% funded during the quarter.
Commenting, Olusakin Labeodan, MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure PFA, said, “Small businesses are Nigeria’s economic backbone, yet many owners lack disciplined retirement security. The Personal Pension Plan allows flexible contributions that match income realities, helping entrepreneurs secure their future as they build their businesses. With strong participation, PPP can help move more Nigerians toward stability and deserved dignity in retirement.”
He added that driving adoption will require sustained education and simpler onboarding. “Our focus is to convert awareness into consistent contributions by meeting informal workers where they are and through digital access, targeted community engagement, and guidance that makes pension planning feel practical, not distant.”
Leadway Pensure PFA said its renewed PPP awareness drive will focus on helping informal sector participants understand how to enroll for PPP, make contributions that suit their cash flow, whether monthly, quarterly, or as lump sums, track savings growth through digital channels, and access advisory support to maximise retirement planning benefits. Leadway Pensure invites self-employed Nigerians and small business owners to take advantage of the Personal Pension Plan today to secure their future.

Continue Reading

Business

Leadway Group Moves To Deepen Financial Literacy Among NYSC Members

Published

on

By

Leadway Group, Nigeria’s non-banking financial services group, has unveiled Lead Forward, a strategic initiative for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) aimed at deepening financial literacy and building awareness around wealth creation. 

Recognising the pivotal transition NYSC represents, Lead Forward which is driven by Leadway Pensure PFA, the Group’s pension administration arm, is designed to equip corps members with foundational financial knowledge, deep insights, and practical tools for long-term financial planning.
The initiative brings the conversation of a well-planned life before and after retirement directly to NYSC orientation camps, making pension education accessible, relatable, and timely for young Nigerians at a pivotal life stage. 

The inaugural phase kicked off in Lagos, setting the foundation for a nationwide rollout across NYSC camps in all geo-political zones.
The goal of the initiative is to spark early, informed conversations about pensions and empower young Nigerians to take control of their financial futures. 

Speaking on the impact of the initiative, Olusakin Labeodan, Managing Director, Leadway Pensure PFA, noted that pension conversations must begin before the first salary alert. “At the NYSC stage, most young people are trying to figure out what is next; where to work, how to survive, what the future holds. Pensions may feel distant, but now is the right time to get educated. Through Lead Forward, we’re making the subject of pensions more relatable and ultimately, more relevant.” 

While Leadway Group has consistently maintained a presence at NYSC camps, particularly in Lagos, the Lead Forward initiative marks a more immersive evolution of its youth engagement efforts across other states. The programme not only educates but also fosters meaningful, ongoing connections with corps members,” he added. 

Leadway has pledged a long-term commitment to help corps members plan and build a better financial future, ensuring they remain informed, supported, and empowered well beyond their service year. 
 
 

Continue Reading

Business

ILAN Calls for Enhanced Training, Stronger Market Compliance

Published

on

By

The leadership of the Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN), led by its President, Ikechukwu Udobi, paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, today in Abuja.

Speaking on behalf of the Institute, the President expressed profound gratitude to the Commission and the Commissioner for Insurance for the successful revision of the Loss Adjusters’ Scale of Fees—an achievement he described as a significant milestone toward revitalising the profession after decades of stagnation.

The ILAN President also emphasised the need for enhanced training and continuous capacity-building programmes, especially in specialised areas, such as energy, oil & gas, and special risks. According to him, these efforts are crucial to elevating Nigerian loss adjusters to international standards.
He also advocated for stronger collaboration between foreign and Nigerian loss adjusters to deepen knowledge-sharing and industry development.

Udobi stressed the importance of strict compliance with extant laws, regulations, and market guidelines, urging NAICOM to ensure that all market operators fully comply with statutory requirements in their operations.
He also appealed for the Commission’s support in securing a befitting secretariat for ILAN to strengthen the Institute’s administrative capacity.

Responding, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Omosehin, welcomed the ILAN delegation and expressed appreciation for the visit.
He assured them of the Commission’s commitment to supporting every segment of the insurance industry as part of the broader transformation agenda.
The CFI emphasised the need for professionalism and ethical conduct in the discharge of loss adjusting responsibilities, noting that adjusters play a critical role as the bridge between policyholders’ expectations and their satisfaction.

The meeting also underscored the importance of strict adherence to the Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics for Loss Adjusters to enhance the credibility and quality of practice within the profession.

Continue Reading