Pension harmonisation, health insurance, others tops PTAD’s 2026 budget

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has expressed its plans to improve the welfare of Nigeria’s retirees, with pension harmonization, health insurance for Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners, and the full implementation of the N32,000 pension increment topping its 2026 budget proposal.

This was revealed last week when PTAD hosted members of the House of Representatives Committee on Pensions during an official oversight visit to the Directorate’s headquarters in Abuja.

The visit, led by the Committee Chairman, Hon. Jallo Hussaini Mohammed, was aimed at assessing PTAD’s operations and reviewing its budget performance for 2024 and the first half of 2025.

Welcoming the lawmakers, PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, expressed appreciation to the Committee for what she described as its “consistent support and collaboration” with the Directorate. She highlighted significant progress made in the past year, particularly the successful implementation of the 20/28 percent pension increment, effective from January 2024, which she said had already been captured in the September 2024 pension payroll with all accrued arrears fully settled.

Odunaiya explained that PTAD has continued to pay arrears for the N32,000, 10.66 percent and 12.95 percent pension increments from savings realized after the payment of monthly pensions. According to her, “There is continuous arrears payment of the N32,000, 10.66 per cent and 12.95 per cent pension increments with the available savings made from successive balance of funds in the pension sub-head after paying the monthly pension.”

She disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the inclusion of several critical pension-related items in the 2026 budget proposal, which are aimed at addressing long-standing challenges faced by pensioners. “These include funding for the full implementation of the N32,000 pension increment, settlement of unfunded pension liabilities, the proposed pension harmonization policy, and health insurance coverage for Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners,” she said.

While reaffirming PTAD’s commitment to the welfare of DBS pensioners, Odunaiya acknowledged the vital role of the National Assembly in strengthening pension administration in Nigeria. She also appealed for the Committee’s support in tackling the key challenges facing the Directorate.

In his remarks, Hon. Mohammed commended PTAD for what he described as “notable strides in enhancing pension payments and improving service delivery.” He assured that the Committee would continue to work closely with the Directorate to ensure that the welfare of pensioners remains a top national priority.

The engagement, which ended on a positive note, underscored the growing collaboration between PTAD and the legislature to deliver improved pension services and restore dignity to Nigeria’s senior citizens.

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