The Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Omolola Oloworaran, has urged state governments to strengthen compliance with the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and expand pension coverage to guarantee dignified retirement for Nigerian workers.
Oloworaran made the call at the closing ceremony and award night of the 2026 National Pension Week in Abuja, where she stressed the need for stronger institutions, effective pension laws and sustained collaboration among stakeholders to improve retirement outcomes.
She said states that had yet to enact pension laws could not be considered for recognition at the National Pension Awards, emphasising that legal and institutional commitments were essential to ensuring workers received retirement benefits.
“If your state, for instance, has not even passed a law, I’m sorry, you’re not a winner,” the PenCom DG said.
She added that states making efforts to expand pension coverage and comply with the requirements of the scheme deserved recognition, even as she acknowledged that achieving full compliance would require sustained commitment.
“For everybody who has made an effort, who is trying to ensure coverage and their respect for respective states, obviously we are all winners,” she said.
According to her, the journey towards full compliance with the contributory pension scheme might be slow, but stakeholders must remain committed to achieving the desired results.
Oloworaran said the National Pension Week provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress, exchange ideas and develop strategies to strengthen pension administration in the country.
She also commended members of the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives Committee on Pensions, for their oversight role and support for reforms aimed at protecting pension contributors and retirees.
The PenCom boss disclosed that lawmakers were working with the commission to review existing pension legislation to make it more effective in addressing the needs of ordinary Nigerians.
She said the lawmakers had also raised concerns about pension liabilities requiring attention in the 2027 budget, describing their engagement as important to improving retirement security.
“They are also working with us to review the law to make it more impactful for ordinary Nigerians,” she said.
Oloworaran urged stakeholders to leave the event with renewed determination to expand pension coverage, strengthen institutions and improve the welfare of retirees.
“When we leave here today, we should be ready to step out tomorrow and commit to greater pension coverage, stronger institutions, and better life for ordinary Nigerians,” she said.
She expressed hope that the next edition of the National Pension Week in 2027 would record significant milestones towards ensuring dignified retirement for Nigerian workers.
Earlier, the Director of Information and Communication Technology at PenCom and Chairman of the National Pension Week 2026 Planning Committee, Micheal Popoola, said the week-long programme was organised in collaboration with the Pension Operators Association of Nigeria to showcase achievements in pension reforms and deepen public understanding of the pension system.
Popoola said activities during the week included stakeholder engagements, public enlightenment campaigns, youth-focused initiatives and industry exhibitions.
He added that the programme featured a national pension leadership summit, where industry leaders and stakeholders deliberated on critical issues affecting the sector and discussed its future direction.
The week also featured the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries of the exit benefit scheme, while the closing ceremony culminated in the National Pension Awards to recognise individuals, organisations and states whose contributions had advanced pension administration in Nigeria.
Popoola called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to build an inclusive, resilient and sustainable pension industry capable of serving the interests of Nigerians and securing their future.
