President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the expedited implementation of a free healthcare access initiative for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), alongside immediate action to enact long-overdue pension increases and resolve persistent police pension issues.
The directives, described as vital for ensuring social protection and dignity in retirement, were issued following a briefing by Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The free healthcare initiative targets low-income CPS retirees, providing fully subsidized access to primary and secondary medical services to ease the burden of healthcare costs amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Additionally, President Tinubu mandated the prompt implementation of pension increases and a minimum pension guarantee to create a financial safety net for the most vulnerable pensioners.
“No retiree should face hardship in accessing basic needs,” Tinubu emphasized, underscoring his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth.
The President also addressed the longstanding police pension issue, directing PenCom to urgently resolve delays and discrepancies to ensure that retired police officers, who have dedicated their lives to national security, retire with dignity and financial stability.
“Members of the police force deserve peace of mind in retirement,” Tinubu stated.
During the briefing, Ms. Oloworaran updated the President on efforts to preserve the value of pension fund assets against inflation and macroeconomic pressures.
She also outlined plans to introduce foreign currency contributions, enabling Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in the CPS, thereby expanding the scheme’s reach.
The initiatives are part of a broader suite of transformative pension reforms aimed at enhancing retiree welfare.
With Nigeria’s inflation rate at 33.4% in Q2 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, these measures are seen as critical to supporting retirees on fixed incomes.
The healthcare program is expected to benefit over 500,000 low-income retirees initially, with pension increases and police pension resolutions set to roll out by Q4 2025.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to protecting ordinary Nigerians, stating, “These reforms reflect our resolve to ensure no Nigerian is left behind.”
Stakeholders, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, have praised the directives but called for transparent funding plans to ensure sustainability.
