A group of pensioners under the aegis of the Concerned NEPA/PHCN Pensioners has accused the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) of delaying the payment of their pension arrears, despite claims that the Federal Government released the funds in May 2026.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos, the group’s leaders alleged that the continued delay has caused severe hardship for many pensioners, with some reportedly dying before receiving their entitlements. They called on PTAD to immediately commence payment and provide a clear explanation for the hold-up.
The group’s Chairman, Oladimeji Dunmoye, alleged that PTAD was colluding with certain individuals to deliberately withhold the arrears. According to him, the Federal Government approved and released the funds in May 2026, yet pensioners are still awaiting disbursement.
“We have credible information that the Federal Government released the funds in May 2026, yet payment has not commenced,” Dunmoye stated. “We are asking PTAD to explain the delay and immediately commence disbursement.”
Dunmoye said the prolonged delay has left many pensioners in dire financial straits, adding that some members have died while waiting for their benefits.
Echoing these sentiments, the group’s Vice Chairman, Ayodeji Oladotun, said PTAD had repeatedly attributed the delay to verification exercises and payroll synchronisation. He argued that the repeated postponements have heightened anxiety among pensioners who have waited for years to receive their outstanding arrears.
“It is a betrayal of the highest order. Some of our colleagues have passed away while waiting for this money that has already been signed off by the government,” Oladotun said.
He called on the Federal Ministry of Finance and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the alleged delay in disbursing the funds. Oladotun also urged PTAD to initiate payments immediately and ensure transparency throughout the process.
He warned that the pensioners would stage a peaceful protest at PTAD headquarters and its state liaison offices if the delay continued.
The group has previously organised peaceful protests over unpaid pension arrears, including actions in 2018 at PTAD’s Lagos Liaison Office in Tafawa Balewa Square, as well as similar demonstrations in March 2021 and September 2022.
Responding to the allegations, PTAD’s Head of Corporate Communications, Olugbenga Ajayi, referred NAN to an earlier statement issued by the directorate. In the statement, PTAD said the Federal Government, through the directorate, had successfully settled long-standing pension liabilities as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the statement, the payments include ₦25,053,703,604.12 for the outstanding 35-month pension liability owed to 9,675 eligible Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners of the defunct NITEL/MTEL.
PTAD also stated that it paid ₦9,481,886,576.53, representing the initial 50 per cent payment of the Back End Computation (BEC) arrears to 3,959 eligible Power Holding Company of Nigeria DBS pensioners.
The directorate added that it had also paid ₦5,094,784,054.27, representing the remaining 50 per cent balance of the 10.66 per cent and 12.95 per cent pension increment arrears due to 11,180 eligible DBS pensioners of the defunct Assurance Bank, NICON, NITEL and People’s Bank of Nigeria.
PTAD thanked the affected pensioners for their patience and confidence while the liabilities remained outstanding. The directorate said it remained committed to efficient, transparent and pensioner-focused service delivery, adding that it would continue to support the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners.
