The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has said that only seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are fully implementing pension reform laws, leaving millions of civil servants uncertain about their retirement future.
The Director-General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, reportedly disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a consultative session with heads of service from states yet to fully adopt or implement the Contributory Pension Scheme and the Contributory Defined Benefits Scheme.
She said that although 36 states now have pension reform laws, most are either inactive or only partly enforced.
“Out of the 36 states with pension reform laws on their books, only seven states, together with the Federal Capital Territory, are fully implementing these laws,” Oloworaran said.
According to her, 30 states and the FCT have enacted contributory pension laws, while six states still have pension reform bills awaiting approval in their state assemblies.
However, she warned that 23 states have failed to properly activate or enforce the laws already passed.
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“That leaves 23 states whose laws are written, inactive, or only partially implemented. Twenty-three sets of public servants or civil servants whose retirement future hangs in the balance, not because there is no law, but because the law has not been activated,” she stated.
Oloworaran described pension reform as both a constitutional and financial obligation, stressing that the old pension system failed because it created uncertainty and huge unpaid liabilities.
She said the contributory pension scheme was introduced to ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainability in pension administration.
“Across our states, the challenge is no longer the enactment of laws. The challenge is the discipline of execution. It is the regular and timely remittance of contributions. It is the adequate and consistent funding of accrued pension rights,” she stated.
The PenCom boss urged state heads of service to treat pension reform as part of their governance legacy, saying the success of implementation largely depends on their commitment.
She added that PenCom’s target under her leadership is to achieve “zero pension liabilities” and ensure retirement dignity for Nigerian workers.
Oloworaran also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved and released ₦758 billion in 2025 to clear outstanding federal pension liabilities, adding that the Federal Government currently has no outstanding pension debts.
She further said PenCom had launched “Pension Revolution 2.0,” a reform programme aimed at improving retiree welfare, expanding pension coverage, boosting investment returns, improving technology-driven services, and supporting national development financing.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X