FG Begins Payment Of N32,000 Pension Increment To Retirees – PTAD.

Bola Tinubu.

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has disclosed that it has begun the implementation of new pension increases for retirees enrolled in the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), stating that the adjustments will be included in the September 2025 payroll cycle.

In a statement issued by its Management and shared on its official X handle, PTAD explained that the enhancement package comprises a fixed N32,000 increment along with percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for qualifying groups, set to benefit around 832,000 pensioners under its supervision.

It should be recalled that in August, PTAD had announced that President Bola Tinubu had approved a range of new welfare benefits for pensioners under the DBS.

This approval came following a formal proposal by the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Tolulope Odunaiya, who requested emergency budgetary support to implement the pension upgrades and welfare initiatives for the retirees under the scheme.

The measures endorsed include the N32,000 pension raise, percentage-based increases for pensioners of now-defunct and privatised agencies, harmonisation of pensions across all DBS retirees, their inclusion in the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the settlement of long-standing, unpaid pension liabilities.

In the statement released on Tuesday, PTAD stated that the partial disbursement of N820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the emergency allocation had made it possible to commence the upgraded pension payments immediately.

The statement read, “Further to the President’s approval of the emergency budgetary allocation for the payment of the new pension increment rates for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS) that was earlier published by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate on Friday, 8th August, 2025, the Directorate is delighted to announce the commencement of the implementation of the 832,000, 10.66% and 12.95% pension increment for eligible pensioners under the management of PTAD, in the September 2025 pension payroll cycle."

“This achievement has been made possible through the partial release of 820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance, from the initial 845 billion emergency funding approval granted by the Federal Government."

“This milestone clearly reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of DBS Pensioners in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

PTAD expressed its gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting approval for the emergency allocation.

It also recognised the contributions of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Accountant-General of the Federation, as well as critical presidential advisers and parliamentary committees for their “timely interventions” and support.

The statement further conveyed appreciation to organised pension bodies, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, for their collaboration during the negotiation and implementation process.

“We further assure all our DBS Pensioners and Stakeholders that the Directorate will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities towards release of the outstanding approved funds and subsequent fulfilment of all future obligations relating to the pension increments and the landmark reforms,” the statement added.

The Defined Benefit Scheme applies to pensioners who retired before the launch of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, and includes retirees from defunct government institutions, privatised agencies, and parastatals funded through the national treasury.

Over time, many of these pensioners have faced challenges such as irregular payments, delayed harmonisation of benefits, and limited access to quality healthcare—issues the new reforms aim to resolve.