The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has begun implementing new pension increments for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), with adjustments reflected in the September 2025 payroll cycle.
In a statement posted on its X handle, PTAD said the package includes a fixed N32,000 payment alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories, benefiting approximately 832,000 pensioners under its management.
The adjustments follow President Bola Tinubu’s approval of welfare measures for DBS pensioners, announced in August. PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, had requested an emergency budget allocation to implement pension reforms, welfare benefits, and the settlement of long-standing unpaid liabilities.
The approved measures include the N32,000 increment, percentage increases for retirees from defunct or privatised agencies, harmonisation of pensions across all DBS categories, enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the settlement of unpaid pension obligations.
PTAD noted that the partial release of N820.188 billion from the Federal Ministry of Finance has allowed the directorate to begin disbursing the enhanced payments. “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,” the statement read.
The directorate expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Minister of State for Finance Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and key presidential aides and parliamentary committees for their support in securing and releasing the emergency funds.
Organised pension groups, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, were also acknowledged for their cooperation during negotiations and planning.
PTAD assured all DBS pensioners that it will continue working with relevant authorities to release the remaining approved funds and ensure full implementation of future obligations related to the pension increments and reforms.
The DBS covers retirees who left service before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including those from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals. The reforms aim to address past challenges such as irregular payments, delayed pension harmonisation, and inadequate healthcare access.