The Federal Government, through the National Pension Commission (PenCom), has officially begun preparations for the enrollment of prospective retirees in 2025, highlighting the importance of early planning.
In a strong message to all ministries, departments, and agencies, PenCom urged them to avoid any last-minute rush that could disrupt the enrollment process and adversely affect retirees as they transition to this new phase of life.
The acting Director-General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, made this announcement at a workshop organized to launch the 2024 online enrollment applications for pension desk officers of federal treasury-funded MDAs, held on Monday in Abuja. This workshop marks the start of the final preparations for the 2024 Online Enrolment Exercise, targeting retirees for 2025.
Currently, Nigeria has 7,348,028 individuals—representing 10.58 percent of the total working population—registered under the National Pension Scheme. In the second quarter of 2024, the commission reported payments of N1.1 trillion to 129,435 life annuity applicants, indicating a rise in pension payouts.
In her address, Oloworaran emphasized that the exercise aims to gather accurate data on the Accrued Pension Rights of prospective retirees, enabling the Federal Government to make necessary budgetary provisions. She noted that significant progress has been made in automating the enrollment process, with the introduction of an Online Enrolment Application designed for seamless registration, verification, and enrollment of retirees.
Oloworaran stated, “At PenCom, we are committed to ensuring a smooth pre-retirement verification and enrollment process for employees of federal treasury-funded MDAs. Each year, we conduct this exercise to collect precise data for determining the Accrued Pension Rights of prospective retirees, so the Federal Government can allocate the appropriate budget.
“Today’s workshop is more than just a routine gathering; it is part of our commitment to building the capacity of stakeholders, especially you, the Pension Desk Officers, whose roles are crucial in this process. Since 2021, we have made significant advancements in automating the enrollment process and have introduced an Online Enrolment Application that facilitates seamless registration, verification, and enrollment.
“This system, which includes modules for Retirees, MDAs, PFAs, and PenCom, represents the future of pension administration in Nigeria. As Pension Desk Officers, you are vital in ensuring that retiree information is accurately uploaded and verified. This workshop aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively utilize the application and address any challenges that may arise during the enrollment process.”
Oloworaran reiterated that the workshop is designed to provide practical solutions for pension desk officers encountering application challenges. She also assured participants that development of a new, more efficient enrollment application is underway to enhance user experience for all stakeholders.
“We recognize that issues like application downtimes have occasionally disrupted the process, particularly during last-minute rushes. I am pleased to announce that we are actively working on a new, more efficient enrollment application that will ensure a user-friendly and seamless experience for everyone involved.”
Furthermore, she noted, “I am happy to report that significant progress has been made by all key stakeholders to address outstanding pension liabilities and implement long-term solutions to prevent future funding delays.
“Despite some setbacks, including delays in releasing funds for retirees’ accrued rights, I am confident these issues will soon be resolved. Today’s focus is not only on addressing technical challenges but also on reaffirming our shared responsibility to Nigeria’s retirees, who deserve timely and seamless access to their benefits.”
