FG Commences N32,000 Pension Increment Payment to DBS Retirees
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), has announced that pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) will begin receiving the long-awaited pension increment from September 2025.
According to PTAD, the increment includes a fixed N32,000 addition to monthly pensions, alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for specific eligible categories. The adjustment will directly benefit about 832,000 pensioners across the country who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004.
In August, PTAD revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved new welfare measures for DBS pensioners following a formal request by its Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, who sought an emergency budgetary allocation to support reforms. The approved package not only includes the N32,000 pension rise and percentage adjustments but also covers pension harmonisation, enrolment of retirees into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and settlement of long-standing unfunded pension liabilities.
The Directorate confirmed on Tuesday that the Ministry of Finance had already released N820.188 billion out of the N845 billion approved emergency funding, making it possible for pensioners to begin enjoying the new benefits. PTAD described this as a “major milestone” that proves the Federal Government’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the welfare of senior citizens.
Acknowledging the efforts of stakeholders, PTAD expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the approval, as well as to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Accountant-General of the Federation; presidential aides; and parliamentary committees for their support during the process.
The Directorate also praised pension unions, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN), for their cooperation throughout the negotiations and planning stages.
PTAD assured retirees that it would continue working with relevant authorities to secure the release of the outstanding funds and ensure full implementation of all approved increments. It also pledged to maintain transparency in meeting future obligations.
The DBS covers pensioners from defunct government institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals. For years, many of these retirees have faced issues like delayed harmonisation, irregular payments, and poor access to healthcare. With the new reforms, the Federal Government hopes to restore confidence and guarantee dignity for senior citizens who served the nation.
This move marks a major step in Nigeria’s pension reforms and provides relief to thousands of retirees who have long awaited a fairer system of welfare.
