The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has officially begun the implementation of new pension increments for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). The adjustments will reflect in the September 2025 payroll, bringing relief to hundreds of thousands of pensioners across the country.
In a statement released on its official X handle, PTAD confirmed that the increment package includes a fixed N32,000 increase in addition to percentage raises of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories. The initiative will benefit approximately 832,000 pensioners under the agency’s management.
This development follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval in August of a series of welfare measures for retirees, after a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, for emergency budgetary support to enhance pension reforms.
The welfare package covers:
A fixed N32,000 increment,
Percentage increases for pensioners of defunct and privatised agencies,
Pension harmonisation across all DBS pensioners,
Enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and
Settlement of long-standing unfunded pension liabilities.
According to PTAD, the partial release of N820.188 billion from the Federal Ministry of Finance out of the approved N845 billion emergency funding made the September payment rollout possible.
Quoting the statement:
“Following the President’s approval of emergency budgetary allocation for the new pension increment rates under the Defined Benefit Scheme, the Directorate is pleased to announce the commencement of the 832,000, 10.66% and 12.95% increments for eligible pensioners in the September 2025 payroll. This milestone was achieved through the timely release of N820.188 billion by the Ministry of Finance, reaffirming the government’s commitment to pensioners’ welfare under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
PTAD expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his approval, while also acknowledging the efforts of Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Accountant-General of the Federation; key presidential aides; and parliamentary committees for their crucial support.
The agency also commended organised pension groups such as the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria for their cooperation during negotiations.
PTAD further assured retirees and stakeholders that it will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to secure the release of the outstanding funds and ensure the full implementation of pension increments and other reforms.
The DBS applies to pensioners who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, covering retirees from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals.
