The National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have entered into a partnership to recover unremitted pension contributions and enforce compliance among employers across Nigeria.
At a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja, PenCom’s Director-General, Mrs. Omolola Oloworaran, said the collaboration would ensure that all recovered funds are promptly credited to workers’ Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) and that defaulting employers are held accountable in accordance with the law.
She disclosed that both agencies had appointed focal officers — the Director of Operations for ICPC and the Director of Surveillance for PenCom — to coordinate information sharing, investigations, and enforcement actions.
Mrs. Oloworaran described the partnership as a new chapter in safeguarding workers’ retirement savings and promoting transparency in pension fund management.
“This ceremony goes far beyond signing a document; it represents our shared moral and institutional commitment to integrity and proper management of pension assets,” she said.
According to her, the pension system depends heavily on public trust, as millions of Nigerian workers rely on it for financial security in old age.
“Our duty as regulators and anti-corruption enforcers is to ensure that this trust is never broken. Every naira deducted by employers must be remitted and properly accounted for,” she stressed.
The PenCom chief noted that persistent issues such as unapplied contributions under the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and unremitted liabilities by certain employers continue to threaten the livelihood of Nigerian workers.
“These lapses are not mere administrative oversights; they endanger workers’ financial security. This MoU provides a coordinated framework to address these challenges,” she said.
Mrs. Oloworaran commended the ICPC’s leadership for its cooperation, noting that the partnership underscores both agencies’ shared responsibility to uphold integrity in public service.
“Together, we are showing that government institutions can work hand in hand for the good of Nigerians. This partnership marks a new beginning that will rebuild trust and protect the future of millions of workers,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Clifford Oparaodu, pledged to ensure that erring employers face sanctions and that workers receive their full entitlements upon retirement.
“We will combine enlightenment with enforcement so that employers understand their duties and face consequences if they fail to comply. We will work closely with PenCom to recover unremitted funds and make sure every Nigerian worker enjoys the fruit of their labour,” he said.
Dr. Aliyu commended PenCom for initiating the collaboration and reaffirmed the ICPC’s commitment to supporting the enforcement drive, particularly within the private sector, where pension violations are more prevalent.
