Sanwo-Olu pledges support for pensioners, Seeks Stronger Ties with PTAD
By Khubayb Adefaka
We in Lagos State understand and appreciate the life and the time of our pensioners. They have served actively, and the minimum we can do is to treat them with dignity and fairness,” the governor said.
LAGOS — Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of retirees, pledging closer collaboration with the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to enhance the quality of life for pensioners.
The governor made the commitment on Monday while receiving the senior management team of PTAD, led by its Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, during a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina.
Sanwo-Olu commended reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu aimed at strengthening pensioners’ welfare, noting that Lagos State has also adopted measures to ensure retirees receive their entitlements without delay.
“We in Lagos State understand and appreciate the life and the time of our pensioners. They have served actively, and the minimum we can do is to treat them with dignity and fairness,” the governor said.
Highlighting the state’s record under the contributory pension scheme, Sanwo-Olu stated that Lagos remains the only state without pension arrears. He added that eligible retirees begin receiving their benefits within two to three months after retirement.
The governor emphasized that retirees deserve recognition and respect for their years of service, assuring that his administration will continue to value their contributions to both the state and the nation.
Earlier, Odunaiya expressed PTAD’s readiness to deepen its partnership with the Lagos State Government. She disclosed that nearly 200,000 pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) reside in Lagos and are seeking fairness, dignity, and improved access to their entitlements.
Describing Lagos as Nigeria’s economic hub and Centre of Excellence, Odunaiya said PTAD’s goal is to ensure timely payment of benefits and improved healthcare access for DBS pensioners.
She also revealed that the agency is implementing two major reforms approved in August 2025 by President Tinubu: the Pension Harmonisation Policy, aimed at addressing disparities caused by outdated salary structures, and expanded access to healthcare through the National Health Insurance Scheme to reduce the financial burden of medical care on retirees.
According to Odunaiya, the reforms align with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda and are designed to strengthen social protection while preserving the dignity of senior citizens under the DBS.
