The Federal Government has disbursed N8.6 billion in pension arrears to 148,625 retirees, as part of the implementation of the N32,000 monthly pension increment approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024.
According to The PUNCH, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate confirmed the payment in a statement issued on Monday by its Head of Corporate Communications, Olugbenga Ajayi.
The disbursement covers pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, which includes retirees from the Civil Service, Police, Parastatals, and the Customs, Immigration and Prisons (now Correctional Service) Pension Departments.
“The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate has completed the payment of another instalment of pension arrears resulting from the N32,000 increment approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024,” the statement read.
“This instalment covers all 148,625 eligible pensioners across the four pension departments under the Defined Benefit Scheme.”
A breakdown of the disbursement shows, N5.7 billion was allocated to 59,342 pensioners under the Parastatals Pensions Department, N2.3 billion was paid to 71,084 retirees in the Civil Service Pensions Department, N310 million went to 9,579 pensioners in the Police Pensions Department, N276 million was disbursed to 8,620 pensioners under the Customs, Immigration, and Prisons Pensions Department.
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Executive Secretary of PTAD, Dr. Tolulope Odunaiya, described the payment as a testament to the government’s commitment to the welfare of senior citizens.
“This disbursement is yet another demonstration of the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure that our senior citizens receive what is due to them. President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda places the welfare of pensioners as a top priority,” she said.
Dr. Odunaiya also noted that the latest payment follows the successful clearance of earlier arrears resulting from the 20/28 percent increment approved by the President and implemented from January 2024.
“We are steadily addressing all outstanding entitlements in phases, and PTAD will continue to work towards the full settlement of all arrears,” she added.
The Directorate urged pensioners to remain patient as the government continues its phased disbursement plan, promising transparency and accountability throughout the process.
