by NIyi JACOBS
Despite a fresh pledge by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to prioritize the welfare of retirees and maintain stakeholder trust, Nigerian pensioners have expressed growing frustration over unpaid arrears, operational inefficiencies, and continued silence on service disruptions.
In a recent statement tagged “Commitment to Pensioners and Stakeholders”, PTAD reiterated its dedication to improving the pension administration system and resolving outstanding issues. However, many retirees are unconvinced, citing years of unfulfilled promises and systemic failures.
“This isn’t the first time pensioners have heard grand declarations,” one user wrote on social media. “Yet arrears remain unpaid, MP delays persist, and dignity is eroded daily. Some are excluded from the ₦32,000 award and they deserve justice like everyone. What they need is not a press release but justice.”
Another pensioner lamented the silence surrounding persistent technical issues on the PTAD portal, which has hindered access to services for months. “Nothing has been said about the service issues on the PTAD portal. It has lingered too long. Someone should kindly address pensioners and the general public. The silence is worrisome,” the post read.
Critics also decried the inconsistent disbursement of the ₦32,000 pension arrears, describing the staggered payments as inequitable. “Some have been paid five months; others only two. Payment should be uniform. PTAD must synchronize its operations to promote efficiency and fairness,” one retiree said.
The public backlash comes amid wider calls for pension sector reforms and renewed pressure on oversight institutions like the National Assembly and anti-graft agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in pension management.
As thousands of pensioners continue to struggle with uncertainty, many say statements of commitment must be matched by swift action, transparency, and equitable treatment—values they believe have been lacking for too long
