By Kingsley Benson
President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate rollout of free healthcare for low-income retirees and the implementation of overdue pension increases, signaling a renewed focus on the welfare of Nigeria’s most vulnerable pensioners.
Speaking after receiving a detailed briefing from the Director – General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, the President described the new healthcare initiative as “a critical component of social protection and dignity in retirement.”
With the rising cost of living and persistent economic pressures, President Tinubu said that it had become imperative to shield the elderly from further hardship. “I have directed that the free healthcare access initiative for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme be expedited,” he said.
Beyond health coverage, President Tinubu also ordered the prompt implementation of long-overdue pension increases and the establishment of a minimum pension guarantee. The aim, he explained, is to provide a dependable safety net for pensioners with the smallest contributions or none at all under the current system.
In a clear show of concern for frontline public servants, the President called for the urgent resolution of the long-standing police pension controversy. “Members of the police force who serve and protect the nation deserve to retire with dignity and peace of mind,” he declared.
Ms. Oloworaran, who has been leading a raft of reforms at PenCom, informed the President that steps were already underway to cushion the effects of inflation on pension fund assets. She highlighted a fresh plan to allow Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute to the pension system using foreign currency.
“We are working to ensure the value of pension fund assets is preserved despite inflation and macroeconomic pressures,” she said. “We are also introducing foreign currency contributions to encourage participation from Nigerians abroad.”
The reforms, according to her, are part of a broader effort to deepen inclusion, expand the reach of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), and improve the post-retirement quality of life for millions of Nigerians.
President Tinubu endorsed the updates, applauding the ongoing reforms as timely and necessary. “This administration is committed to inclusive growth and protection for ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
For thousands of retirees, especially those who struggle with inadequate pensions or lack of medical coverage, these directives are a sign of hope. For the administration, they reflect a growing resolve to ensure that no Nigerian who gave their best years in service is left behind in retirement.
