By Ayo Ayodele
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate rollout of free healthcare services for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), in a move aimed at enhancing social protection and ensuring dignity in retirement.
The President issued the directive after receiving a comprehensive briefing from Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), at the State House on Tuesday. Tinubu described the free healthcare initiative as a vital component of his administration’s agenda for social welfare and inclusive growth.
In addition to the healthcare rollout, President Tinubu called for the swift implementation of long-overdue pension increases and a minimum pension guarantee for the most vulnerable pensioners under the CPS.
The President also instructed PenCom to urgently resolve the protracted issue surrounding the police pension scheme, underscoring that men and women of the Nigerian Police Force—who serve and protect the nation—must be allowed to retire with dignity and peace of mind.
Ms. Oloworaran briefed the President on PenCom’s current efforts to safeguard pension fund assets amidst inflation and economic volatility, as well as the Commission’s plans to introduce foreign currency contribution options for Nigerians in the diaspora.
President Tinubu expressed strong support for the reforms and initiatives, emphasizing his administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of retirees and the broader goal of economic inclusivity.
“Our retirees, particularly those with limited incomes, deserve not just our respect but concrete social safety measures to guarantee them a life of dignity,” the President stated.
The meeting highlighted an ambitious suite of reforms by PenCom aimed at expanding pension coverage, improving welfare for retirees, and strengthening Nigeria’s pension system for future generations.