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PenCom Restrategises To Ensure Informal Sector Workers Join Pension Scheme

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The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has informed that it would be redesigning the Micro Pension Plan to ensure that more people join the pension scheme, especially as majority of the working populace in Nigeria are in the informal sector.

This was disclosed on Tuesday in Lagos, at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors, with the theme, “Strengthening Insurance and Pension Frameworks for Better Economy.”

Micro Pension Plan is an arrangement under the Contributory Pension Scheme that allows the self-employed and persons working in organisations with less than three employees to make financial contributions towards the provision of a pension for their retirement or upon incapacitation.

Speaking at the conference, the Director-General, PenCom, Ms Omolola Oloworaran, who was represented by Head, Corporate Communications, PenCom, Mr. Ibrahim Buwai, averred that the majority of the Nigerian workforce was in the informal sector.

He said, “Let’s talk about this issue of expanding the Contributory Pension Scheme towards increasing financial inclusion to grow the informal sector. Even though the data out there of the Nigerian labour force says 70 million or 80 million, be that as it may, the consensus there is that the labour force out there largely resides in the informal sector.

“How do we bring the informal sector under the contributory pension scheme? It is even more important in a country like Nigeria, where the social safety net is not that strong. So, pension is what will come in handy in terms of providing that social safety net.”

The Micro Pension Plan was launched in 2019 by PenCom, but unfortunately, it has not gained much traction as it has only about 200,000 contributors registered under that plan with an asset of about a billion naira, which is very insignificant.

“What we are doing now is looking at totally redesigning that product. And in the next few weeks, we are going to come out with a newly branded micro pension plan now called Personal Pension Plan. We recognise the issues with the product. One of the key element of the product is that that product is going to be stratified into three strata, because we recognise that the sector is not micro. It does not only capture people who are down the ladder- the artisans and so on, it also takes care of people who are up there, the entertainers, the sportsmen who are doing a one man thing. These people need to be taken care of in the plan and there will be a section in the new plan for them.

“But the most important thing is to address the challenges especially around onboarding. I am happy because even the keynote speaker mentioned technology-enabled onboarding, so that is part of what we are looking at. We will put technology in place so that onboarding can be as simple as going to the POS to withdraw or lodge money,” Buwai said.

The PenCom spokesperson also disclosed that with the increase in FinTech, the regulators were considering adding a Super Agent who would come in and do the onboarding on behalf of the PFAs.

“This speaks to the issue that we need to license Micro Pension PFAs so that this model will enable us to achieve that purpose,” he noted.

Regarding the deployment of pension fund to economic development, PenCom said that it was one area it was focusing on.

“At the moment, we are renewing impetus to ensure that pension funds are invested in infrastructure, private equity etc. This is a two-pronged approach. Apart from the issue of economic development, we are also worried about the real return on investment for the benefit of the retirees and contributors. We are also aware that the recent inflation bite seems to reduce the real purchasing power and that is what is affecting the retirees also.”

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Paga Partners Leadway Assurance To Safeguard Doroki Merchants

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Paga, the fintech company behind the Doroki merchant platform, has entered into a strategic partnership with Leadway Assurance, one of Nigeria’s foremost insurance providers, to deliver comprehensive insurance solutions designed specifically for Doroki merchants.
The collaboration aims to help merchants safeguard their businesses against everyday risks and recover quickly from unforeseen events.

Under this partnership, Doroki merchants will gain access to tailored insurance solutions designed to protect the critical components of their day-to-day operations thereby safeguarding their income, assets, and continuity of operations.

Beyond offering coverage, this initiative is built on a holistic approach to risk resilience. Doroki and Leadway will equip merchants with clear guidance on what each product covers, how to file a claim, and best practices for risk management—empowering them with knowledge that strengthens decision-making and builds confidence in handling uncertainties.

“At Doroki, we see our merchants as partners in driving economic activity across Nigeria’s retail landscape. This partnership with Leadway—an insurer with decades of experience and a strong reputation for reliability—means our merchants can focus on growing their businesses with the peace of mind that they are protected,” said the General Manager of Doroki Merchants, Arike Okwunowo.

Commenting on the development, Head of Digital Business, Leadway, Diana Mulili reiterated Leadway’s commitment to expanding access to financial security for every Nigerian.
“At Leadway, we believe insurance should integrate seamlessly into the everyday realities of people and businesses. By partnering with Doroki, we are embedding practical, easy-to-understand insurance solutions into a platform merchants already trust—helping them protect their income, assets, and livelihoods while continuing to grow with confidence,” Mulili stressed.

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PenCom To Launch Data Recapture Self-Service Platform February 1

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The National Pension Commission (PenCom), in collaboration with Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), will launch a self-service online data recapture application known as the Data Recapture Self-Service Platform (PENCAP) on 1 February 2026.
The platform enables Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders to remotely update their personal records (recapture), without necessarily visiting their PFAs.
PENCAP targets RSA holders who joined the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) on or before 1 July 2019 and have not undergone the data recapture process. This initiative marks another key step by PenCom to enhance data integrity, improve service delivery, and modernise pension administration through responsible digitalisation.
Rationale for the Data Recapture Exercise
Accurate and up-to-date data remains fundamental to the efficient administration of retirement savings under the CPS. Over time, data inconsistencies arising from legacy records and incomplete documentation have posed challenges during verification and benefit processing.
PENCAP provides a proactive solution by offering contributors a secure and convenient channel to recapture their data. By improving the quality and reliability of contributor records across PFAs, the platform will support faster benefit processing, smoother verification exercises, and an overall improvement in service experience for RSA holders.
The Data Recapture Exercise (DRE) commenced in August 2019 for both active contributors and retirees. The DRE complies with the Federal Government’s directive that all data-generating organisations should harmonise their databases with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). It is also consistent with the need for a credible database of all RSA holders in Nigeria with the National Identification Number (NIN) as the unique identifier. In that regard, PenCom designed, developed and deployed an Enhanced Contributor Registration System (ECRS), which has been integrated with the NIMC database to authenticate the uniqueness of individuals seeking to register under the CPS and existing RSA holders who have not recaptured.
Before now, RSA holders were required to physically visit their PFAs in order to recapture. This has not achieved the needed outcome with many eligible RSA holders yet to be recaptured for over six years.
Overview of the Self-Service Process
The recapture process is fully online and requires a phone, a computer or other devices with a camera and internet access to enable live image capture. RSA holders will access the portal at https://pensionrecap.pencom.gov.ng/ and create a secure user profile using a personal email address.
Contributors will then complete the online Data Recapture Form and, where applicable, upload supporting documents to validate requested updates. The process also involves biometric verification through live facial capture and the provision of a digital signature to confirm authenticity.
Processing, Validation and Notifications
Following submission, the contributor’s PFA reviews the application and takes appropriate action within the defined processing period. Throughout this stage, RSA holders receive email notifications acknowledging receipt of their request and providing updates on approval or rejection, including reasons where applicable. This ensures transparency, accountability, and continuous communication.
The rollout of PENCAP, aims to speed up the Data recapture process which has been ongoing since the launch of the ECRS but without significant progress. By providing the self-service option, it is expected that more RSA holders will be encouraged to participate due to its convenience.
Importance of Compliance for RSA Holders
RSA holders who enrolled on or before 1 July 2019 and are yet to undergo recapture are required to take advantage of the online window to confirm and update their records. This is a necessary step to migrate their date onto the ECRS, which uniquely identifies RSA holders via their National Identification Number (NIN).
Completion of the data recapture exercise is also essential for participation in the Retiree Enrolment and Verification Exercise and for accessing key pension transactions. These include processing of retirement benefits, eligibility to utilise part of RSA balances as equity contribution for residential mortgages, withdrawal temporary job loss, and the transfer of RSAs between PFAs. Eligible RSA holders who fail to complete the data recapture will not be able to access any of the aforementioned services.
Alignment with PenCom’s Strategic Objectives
The deployment of PENCAP aligns with the PenCom’s broader commitment to innovation, transparency, and operational efficiency within Nigeria’s pension industry. By embracing technology-driven solutions, PenCom continues to enhance public confidence in the CPS and ensures seamless access to retirement benefits.
RSA holders who prefer physical recapture may still visit their PFA branches, as the self-service platform is designed to complement existing service channels.

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PenCom Pays N8.70bn Arrears To 2,116 Retirees

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The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has approved an upward review of pensions for 2,116 retirees under the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), increasing their total monthly pension payments from N12.56 million to N159.95 million, representing an increase of 1,173%.
The NSITF pension increase is yet another milestone in President Bola Tinubu’s policy of enhancing the welfare of retirees in Nigeria.
The payments were recently approved by the Director General of PenCom, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, who continues to champion landmark reforms that have transformed the landscape of the Contributory Pension Scheme.
This marks the first pension increase for NSITF retirees in 21 years, addressing long-standing disparities and restoring the value of benefits in line with statutory provisions and prevailing economic conditions.
Additionally, as part of the enhancement, the 2,116 NSITF retirees have received N8.70 billion in pension arrears. The average arrears payment amounted to about N3 million per retiree.
In a particular instance, an NSITF retiree’s monthly pension was enhanced from about N18,000 to a whopping N206,000. In addition, the retiree was paid over N8 million as pension arrears.
The enhancement was supported by the significant growth of the NSITF Fund, which grew from N54 billion at the point of transfer in 2005 to N195 billion as of December 2025.
This growth reflects prudent fund management under the strict supervision of PenCom and provided the financial headroom necessary to implement the long-overdue review while safeguarding the Scheme’s sustainability.
The NSITF was established in 1993 as the successor to the National Provident Fund (NPF), managing pension benefits for private sector employees prior to the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) under the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004.
Following the reform, pension assets under the defunct NSITF Scheme were transferred to Trustfund Pensions Limited, which was mandated to manage the Scheme’s assets and administer benefits to existing and deferred pensioners.
Section 39(3) of the PRA 2014, together with Section 173(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, mandates periodic pension reviews at least every five years or in line with Federal Civil Service salary reviews. Furthermore, the NSITF Benefits Payment Policy provides that the minimum retirement pension should not be less than 80% of the prevailing National Minimum Wage.
Despite these provisions, the last review of NSITF pensions occurred in 2005.
In response to this prolonged non-compliance, PenCom invoked Section 53 of the PRA 2014, which requires that benefits under the NSITF Scheme be administered in accordance with the Scheme’s governing terms. PenCom consequently directed Trustfund Pensions Limited to submit a comprehensive proposal for pension enhancement.
So far, payments have been made to verified NSITF retirees. To ease the burden associated with pension verification exercises, PenCom approved the deployment of the “VerifyMe” digital solution for automated revalidation of NSITF pensioners. This initiative eliminated the rigours of physical verification requirements and thereby improving service efficiency for the senior citizens.

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