The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has commenced the implementation of recently approved pension increments for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, with adjustments reflected in the September 2025 payroll.
In a statement signed by Management and posted on its X handle, PTAD confirmed that the package consists of a fixed ₦32,000 increase, alongside percentage adjustments of 10.66% and 12.95% for specific categories. The increment is expected to benefit around 832,000 pensioners currently managed by the directorate.
The move follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval in August of new welfare measures for pensioners under the DBS after a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, who had sought emergency budgetary support for the reforms.
The measures cover a ₦32,000 increase, harmonisation of pensions across all DBS beneficiaries, enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme, and settlement of long-standing arrears for defunct and privatised agencies.
PTAD noted that the Federal Ministry of Finance has released ₦820.188 billion out of the ₦845 billion emergency allocation, enabling the payment rollout.
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.”
The directorate expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, as well as 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, and other key stakeholders, for their “timely interventions”.
It also acknowledged pension unions, such as the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, for their cooperation.
“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 DBS covers pensioners who retired before the Contributory Pension Scheme was introduced in 2004. Many of these retirees, particularly from defunct agencies and treasury-funded parastatals, have long battled irregular payments and poor access to healthcare—issues the new reforms aim to resolve.
Advertisement
