Pension Reforms: Nigerian Retirees Groan Over Delays In Pension Payment, Appeal To FG

Retirees in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu States have raised concerns over delays in their pension payments, calling on the Federal Government to address the bureaucratic challenges causing these setbacks.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), many retired civil servants are forced to wait for up to two years for their pension, receiving only partial payments of 50% or 25% despite consistent contributions during their service. The retirees appealed to the government to overhaul the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and improve the payment system to prevent financial hardships.

Several retirees shared their experiences, including Mr. Julius Okafor, who retired in 2022 and has yet to receive his gratuity or monthly pension. Others like Dr. Mathew Odono from Ebonyi State, who retired in March 2024, echoed similar frustrations, calling the situation “worrisome” and urging the Federal Government to expedite payments.
Pension fund administrators, such as Leadway Pension, attributed the delays to the government’s slow remittance of funds and advised civil servants to plan early for their retirement by investing in skills and alternative income sources.

In response to these complaints, stakeholders are pushing for a review of the Pension Reform Act, urging that it be restructured to guarantee prompt payment. Legal practitioners and rights activists stressed the need for timely pension disbursements to prevent undue hardship, as delayed payments often force retirees into severe financial difficulties or worse, lead to untimely deaths.