PTAD: Sanwo-Olu pledges support for welfare of retirees

2026-03-02 - 17:57

By Olasunkanmi Akoni Lagos — Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting retirees, promising to work closely with the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to make life better and more meaningful for pensioners. Sanwo-Olu made the pledge on Monday during a courtesy visit by PTAD’s senior management team, led by Executive Secretary Tolulope Odunaiya, at Lagos House, Marina. The governor commended reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu to enhance the welfare of pensioners and noted that the Lagos State Government has also implemented significant measures to ensure retirees enjoy their entitlements promptly. He said, “We in Lagos State understand and appreciate the life and the time of our pensioners. They have served actively, and the minimum we can do is to treat them with dignity and fairness. On the contributory pension, we are the only state today without any pension arrears. Within the first two to three months after retirement, eligible pensioners begin to enjoy the benefits they have worked for.” Sanwo-Olu emphasized that retirees deserve recognition and respect, adding that the government continues to appreciate their contributions to the state and the nation. Earlier, Odunaiya highlighted PTAD’s intention to strengthen collaboration with the Lagos State Government. She noted that many of the nearly 200,000 pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) reside in Lagos and are seeking fairness, dignity, and access to their entitlements. She said, “Lagos is Nigeria’s economic powerhouse and the true Centre of Excellence. Our goal is to ensure DBS pensioners receive timely benefits and healthcare support. Beyond the rehabilitation of the Lagos State Liaison Office, PTAD is implementing two landmark reforms: the Pension Harmonisation Policy, which corrects disparities caused by outdated salary structures, and access to healthcare through the National Health Insurance Scheme, enabling pensioners to receive medical care without financial burden.” Odunaiya noted that these reforms, approved in August 2025 by President Tinubu, are aligned with his Renewed Hope Agenda and are designed to strengthen social protection and uphold the dignity of senior citizens under the DBS.