The Pension Transition Arrangements Directorate (PTAD) has engaged Online Editors, Correspondents on capacity building workshop at its headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, 4th December, 2025.
The workshop featured presentation delivered by top management staff of the Directorate, who walked the Journalists through its operational structure, its legal mandate, and its future plans to improve pension management in Nigeria.
Among these top management attendees were the Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya ably represented by Director of Corporate Services, Kabiru Yusuf, the Director of Tertiary Education and Health, Dalewa Ndayaka, the Deputy Director, Pensioners Service support, Dr Inuoma Ikemba-Erughi, Ass Director, IT Dept, Adamu Ismail among others.
The Executive Secretary, Odunaiya who welcomed the journalists, stressed the critical role of media in disseminating factual information and underscored the importance of the accurate reporting to foster transparency and public trust in pension administration.
Highlighting the Directorate’s ongoing efforts to ensure timely and efficient pension payments, she said, “Over the years, PTAD has worked assiduously to change the narrative of pension payment in Nigeria, especially under the Defined Benefits Scheme.
“We are proud to see that the hard work has yielded and has continued to yield positive results. Pension management is a very sensitive issue, and PTAD has been at the forefront since inception, ensuring that the welfare of pensioners remains a priority”, she added.
Odunaiya emphasized that the training was designed not only to update the media on PTAD’s activities but also to foster stronger collaboration with the Directorate, correct misrepresentations, and enhance public awareness of pensioners’ welfare.
The PTAD Boss expressed appreciation for the robust support and collaboration the organization has had with the media over the years. “It could not have been possible without the positive reportage the pension correspondents and online Editors have given the Directorate.
“It is very important, as reporters, to understand where we are coming from, where we are, where we are headed, and what exactly we do, so you can report accurately. As our partner in progress, we rely on media and our reporters must work with us to ensure that this mandate is fulfilled. 
“It is our intention to foster the already-robust relationship between PTAD and the Media, correct all misrepresentations and inform them of next steps we intend to take as we work hard to ensure that the welfare of our pensioners is sustained”, she said.
The Director, Corporate Service Department, in his presentation entitled: Understanding the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS) and PTAD’s Oversight Role (mandate, structure and objectives) reeled out the achievements recorded in the past twelve years of the Directorate.
The achievements, includes “Design and development of a state- of-the-art Data Centre, equipped with modern equipment and relevant technical competency, that integrated into an optimal platform for deployment of top-quality information technology services to aid the Directorate in achieving its mandate, Creation of a comprehensive, integrated database of eligible pensioners with digitized career records, biometric/ pictorial records and bank account details following successful completion of nationwide physical verification of eligible pensioners and Next of Kins.
Design and Implementation of Mobile Verification Services through the deployment of PTAD Mobile Verification Application to verify eligible and qualified pensioners who are aged, infirm, sick or physically challenged and thus unable to participate in the open-field verification exercise,
Design of a Pension Benefit Computation Application that automatically uploads relevant data from the pensioner verification database to ensure consistently accurate and complete determination of pensioner benefits.Design and Development of a Complaints Resolution Management Portal and a Call Centre Management Solution (known as CC-Agent) to support efficient customer (pensioner) relationship management, complaints tracking and resolution among others.
Speaking on the key challenges facing the Directorate, Yusuf said, “The absence of statutory provision for pension to be a “first line charge” has often led to slight delays in meeting due obligations for pension and arrears payment, and with consequential impact on the welfare of these senior citizens.
He added, “Absence of a defined framework for the implementation of the five-year cycle of pension increment as provided by the Constitution. “Absence of clarity on some element of the DBS especially as it relates to the limit of Federal Government obligation for the pension rights of some category of primary school teachers, State with Federal share (SWFS) pensioners and pensioners severed under the Federal Government Public Service Reform that was managed by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms.”
While looking forward, Yusuf said that PTAD seeks to sustain its technology capabilities and applications; the skills of its workforce which have been “honed in the critical areas of biometric verification, benefits computation, payments and complaints resolution, operational know- how garnered over the years for improved service delivery.”
Other heads of departments also delivered papers presentation to highlight the activities of the Directorate while the training was described as an interactive session, encouraging participants to ask questions, clarify misconceptions, and engage with PTAD officials on best practices for reporting on sensitive pension matters.
