Over 110 additional Ogun pension beneficiaries receive cheques from Abiodun

As part of efforts to improve the welfare of public and civil servants after retirement, no fewer than 111 retirees have received bank cheques from Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, under the newly introduced Additional Pension Benefit (APB) initiative.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony held at the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun said the initiative was designed as a one-off intervention for beneficiaries under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), aimed at bridging the gap between their entitlements and those of retirees under the Defined Benefits Scheme.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the governor explained that the initiative became necessary to ease the hardship faced by retirees and to address the rising pension liabilities inherited by his administration. He noted that beneficiaries received between ₦5 million and ₦17 million each.

Abiodun disclosed that the state’s pension liability grew from about ₦2 billion in 2007 to ₦26 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach ₦40 billion by 2029, describing the trend as unsustainable.

He attributed the development to inconsistent funding of the CPS by previous administrations, which led to an amendment of the Pension Reform Law in 2013, shifting the effective commencement of the CPS to July 2025. As a result, workers due to retire before that date were placed under a Transitional Pension Scheme, effectively retaining the Defined Benefits Scheme for that category.

The governor added that since 2021, his administration has begun clearing outstanding gratuities exceeding ₦26 billion, while also ensuring regular remittance of accrued pension rights into retirees’ Retirement Savings Accounts.

He further revealed that over ₦237 million in palliatives was paid to retirees between July and December 2025, alongside the remittance of arrears of contributory pension deductions and returns on investment totaling over ₦5 billion.

According to him, the Additional Pension Benefit initiative underscores his administration’s commitment to ensuring dignity, financial security, and improved living standards for retirees.

Also speaking, the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, commended the governor for implementing enhanced pension benefits ranging from 116 to over 200 percent of retirees’ annual salaries, above the statutory provision.

He urged beneficiaries to make prudent use of the funds to improve their living conditions and secure their future.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ogun State Council, Chief Waheed Oloyede, expressed appreciation to the governor for approving and promptly implementing the APB initiative, describing it as the first of its kind in the country.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Suraju Awóyẹmí thanked the state government for addressing long-standing concerns over retirement benefits and for introducing reforms that have restored confidence among retirees.