The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has urged federal pensioners to disregard calls for a nationwide protest, assuring them that the Federal Government has already implemented the approved pension increases and is steadily paying outstanding arrears. The clarification follows media reports of a planned demonstration by a group calling itself the Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria, which alleged delays in arrears and palliative payments.
PTAD stated that the pension increments took effect from the September 2025 payroll after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved an emergency budgetary allocation and the Federal Ministry of Finance released the requisite funds. The Directorate said the implementation underscores the government’s firm commitment to the welfare of pensioners under the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS).
Providing further details, PTAD explained that the ₦32,000, 10.66%, and 12.95% pension increases for eligible DBS pensioners have been fully implemented and continue to be paid. Arrears are being settled in tranches as funds are made available, pending the complete release of the approved emergency allocations.
Earlier in the year, the Directorate submitted a comprehensive welfare proposal to the Presidency, which President Tinubu “graciously approved.” These approvals include the implementation of the pension increments; the Pension Harmonisation Policy, which aims to ensure uniformity in payments beginning with the 2026 pension budget; the inclusion of DBS pensioners in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from 2026; and provisions for the long-standing unfunded pension liabilities owed to pensioners of defunct agencies and parastatals, including NITEL/MTEL, to be incorporated into the 2026 budget.
PTAD emphasised that these measures reflect strong leadership and a long-term commitment to improving pensioners’ welfare. “It is regrettable that a few groups continue to ignore the progress achieved,” the Directorate said, noting that the majority of recognised unions, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and FEPPPAN, have acknowledged and commended PTAD’s professionalism, transparency, and service delivery.
Highlighting its achievements, PTAD reported that the Federal Government has paid a total of ₦1.002 trillion in monthly pensions to DBS pensioners between 2015 and October 2025. Pension records have been fully digitised using BVN and NIN to eliminate ghost pensioners, and the “I Am Alive” online platform now enables pensioners to confirm their status remotely. The Directorate also noted the resolution of inherited arrears and gratuities across the Civil Service, Parastatals, Police, Customs, Immigration, and Prisons Pension Departments.
Responding to the coalition’s allegations, PTAD clarified that no agency ever promised to clear all arrears within two weeks, describing the protest threat as being based on misinformation. It added that it has held several focus group meetings, telephone discussions, and correspondences with the group’s leaders, urging constructive dialogue, but these efforts “appear to have been ignored.”
The Directorate further clarified that the ₦25,000 palliative payment demanded by some pensioners does not fall under its mandate. The responsible Federal Government agency under the Social Safety Net Programme is managing that process. PTAD noted that the two recognised unions, NUP and FEPPPAN, are fully aware of this arrangement and continue to engage with the government on behalf of their members.
PTAD advised pensioners to rely solely on official communications from the Directorate for accurate and verified information, and reaffirmed its commitment to clearing outstanding arrears as additional funds are released. “The Federal Government remains committed to protecting the dignity and welfare of senior citizens,” PTAD said, adding that constructive engagement remains the most effective path to achieving long-term improvements for all pensioners.
