National Pension Commission (PenCom) don talk say free health insurance for pensioners go start before the year finish, and dem go first start with retired people wey dey low-income level.
Di Director-General of PenCom, Madam Omolola Oloworaran, yarn dis one for Abuja during workshop wey concern how di Contributory Pension Scheme dey work.
She talk say di free health insurance na part of “Pension Revolution 2.0” reform wey aim to make life better for old people after dem don retire, and e dey in line with President Bola Tinubu government plan to protect pensioners’ welfare.
“Free health insurance for retirees go start this year. We wan make dem enjoy dignity and security beyond di money wey dem dey collect every month,” she talk.
Oloworaran yarn say over 10 million Nigerians don dey under di Contributory Pension Scheme, and pension money don pass ₦25 trillion for di fund.
She still talk say about 844,000 retirees don dey collect their pension steady — some every month and others as lump sum.
Di PenCom boss also mention new reform wey dem call Pension Boost 1.0, wey don increase payment for 241,000 retirees from ₦12.16bn to ₦14.84bn from June 2025.
She add say di Federal Government don approve ₦758bn bond to clear all old pension debt and arrears wey dem never pay since 2007.
Oloworaran still reveal say dem dey work with di Head of Civil Service Office to bring back gratuity payment for federal workers wey dey under di Contributory Pension Scheme.
For him own side, Mr Ekpo Nta, Chairman of National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, hail di new move, talk say e go help retirees live better life.
He remind Nigerians say di first pension law start for 1951, before dem bring di Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, and later amend am in 2014.
He also thank Tinubu government for di new reform wey don make pension payment quick and more transparent.
“Dis new move go help pensioners enjoy wetin dem work for, without wahala or delay,” Nta talk.
