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By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Guest Speaker, Alhaji D.U Ahmed, delivering his paper at the occasion in Abuja.
A renewed wave of hope and optimism swept through pensioners across Nigeria as stakeholders gathered in Abuja for the National Thanksgiving Conference of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS), marking what many described as a historic turning point in the nation’s pension administration.
The conference, held at the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja. on Wednesday,brought together pensioners, government officials, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), and regulators under the theme: “Strengthening Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) Administration for Dignity, Timeliness and Trust.”
Presenting a paper at the event, veteran journalist, publisher and pension advocate, Alhaji D.U Ahmed, described the gathering as more than a ceremonial thanksgiving, calling it “a celebration of resilience, patience, and the gradual fulfilment of a dream that lingered for nearly two decades.”
He said the event symbolized a defining moment for thousands of retirees who endured years of delays and uncertainty under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), noting that recent reforms have begun to restore dignity and financial security to pensioners nationwide.
Central to the celebration was the Federal Government’s approval of a landmark ₦758 billion bond, a move widely applauded for addressing long-standing pension liabilities dating back to 2007.
According to Ahmed, the intervention has unlocked long-overdue entitlements and rekindled hope among retirees.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as a bold and compassionate decision, noting that the administration succeeded where previous governments had fallen short.
He also acknowledged the roles of the National Assembly, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the National Pension Commission (PenCom) in driving the reforms.
Ahmed paid special tribute to the leadership of NUPCPS under its National Chairman, Sylva Nwaiwu, whose persistent advocacy he said was instrumental in securing the historic approval.
“This achievement demonstrates the power of collective action and constructive engagement,” Ahmed noted, adding that the bond represents one of the most significant financial commitments ever made to pensioners in Nigeria’s history.
He explained that the bond is structured to clear accrued pension rights, settle unpaid increases spanning nearly two decades, and strengthen the Pension Protection Fund to support vulnerable retirees.
Despite the progress, Ahmed cautioned that challenges still persist within the CPS, including delayed payments, inconsistent remittances by employers, documentation errors, and slow processing of accrued rights.
He emphasized the need for stronger coordination among PenCom, PFAs, and key government institutions.
To address these issues, he proposed practical reforms such as the establishment of a joint administrative resolution task force, full digitization of pension records, pre-retirement audits, enforceable timelines, and improved communication channels between PFAs and pensioners.
He stressed that pension administration must never become a source of anxiety for retirees, but rather a system that guarantees security and dignity in old age.
“Peace in retirement is a right, not a privilege,” he declared, urging all stakeholders to deepen collaboration and sustain reforms.
The conference concluded on a note of unity and renewed determination, with participants expressing confidence that ongoing reforms will usher in a new era of timely, transparent, and reliable pension administration in Nigeria.
For many attendees, the event was not just a thanksgiving,it was a powerful affirmation that, at last, the long wait for justice and dignity in retirement is giving way to lasting change.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
