₦5.12 Billion Lifeline: FG Pays Pension Arrears to Over 90,000 Retirees in Fresh PTAD Disbursement.
By Raymond Enoch
In a decisive move to ease the burden of long-standing pension arrears, the Federal Government, through the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), has disbursed a total of ₦5.12 billion to 90,689 pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). The Directorate described the payment as part of its continuing effort to settle inherited pension liabilities and reaffirm the administration’s commitment to the welfare of retired public servants.
The announcement was made in an official statement signed by Olugbenga Ajayi, mnipr, Head, Corporate Communications Unit of PTAD, dated August 11, 2025. Ajayi emphasized that the payment aligns with PTAD’s mandate to clear verified pension arrears as funds are made available by the Federal Government. He reiterated the agency’s commitment to transparency and the timely disbursement of pensions to senior citizens who served the nation with diligence.
According to PTAD, the disbursement covers arrears owed across its four major departments—Civil Service, Police, Customs/Immigration/Prisons, and Parastatals. Each department accounted for varying numbers of beneficiaries and payment durations, based on verified entitlements. The Parastatals Pension Department (PAPD) received the lion’s share, with ₦3.81 billion paid to 59,609 pensioners for two months’ arrears. The Police Pension Department (PPD) followed, with ₦619.58 million disbursed to 9,681 pensioners for two months.
The Civil Service Pension Department (CSPD) accounted for ₦408.73 million, paid to 12,773 retirees for one month, while the Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Department (CIPPD) saw ₦276.03 million disbursed to 8,626 pensioners covering one month’s arrears. The total amount released across all departments stood at ₦5,119,328,000.
“This payment is not just a financial transaction. It is a message from the government to our retirees—that their years of service will not be forgotten, and their entitlements will not be compromised,” the statement read. PTAD also confirmed that payments had already commenced, with many pensioners across the country receiving credit alerts.
This development comes as part of the Federal Government’s broader economic and social agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope initiative, which prioritizes the welfare of vulnerable groups, especially senior citizens. It is a continuation of the Tinubu administration’s drive to rebuild public trust in government institutions by clearing backlogs and ensuring timely entitlements.
For many of the affected pensioners—some of whom have endured long waits in the face of economic hardship—the payments offer a long-awaited relief. PTAD has consistently reiterated its resolve to ensure that all verified pensioners are paid their due entitlements without delay, and continues to invest in improved pension management processes, including digital verification and data harmonization systems.
Retirees’ associations and civil society groups monitoring pension reforms have welcomed the disbursement, hailing it as evidence of renewed efficiency and a sign that pension issues are gradually returning to the front burner of national discourse.
PTAD urged pensioners who are yet to receive their arrears or have inquiries regarding the latest payments to visit the Directorate’s offices or reach out via its helpdesk. The Directorate assured that all outstanding entitlements would be paid as soon as additional funds are made available.
With this latest intervention, PTAD continues to underscore its role not just as a pension payment agency, but as a symbol of accountability, reform, and hope for Nigeria’s ageing workforce.
