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FG okays health insurance for pensioners
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The Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Tolulope Odunaiya, yesterday said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the implementation of a health insurance scheme for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).
Odunaiya announced this during the directorate’s 2025 budget performance presentation before the House of Representatives Committee on Pensions.
The Executive Secretary said the agency had seamlessly implemented the 28 per cent pension increment approved by the Federal Government in 2024 for the pensioners and settled the 35 months of pension arrears for NITEL/MTEL retirees.
She told the lawmakers that even though it had concluded the payment of arrears to over 155,000 pensioners, it was facing eviction from its Maitama office and struggling with vendor payments.
Odunaiya explained that out of about N128.9 billion appropriated for pensions this year, N62.7 billion was released in June, while N56.6 billion had been utilised.
According to her, no allocation was made for gratuities in the current year due to an oversight.
The PTAD chief stated that despite the prevailing situation, the agency continued to meet its pension obligations and was working with the Federal Government to address unfunded liabilities and other challenges.
She also announced that N25 billion was appropriated for unfunded pension liabilities in 2025, with N13 billion released and N8.7 billion so far utilised.
“On personnel expenditure, N2.4 billion was appropriated for 2025, of which N1.09 billion has been released and fully utilised. Overhead costs recorded N1.49 billion in appropriations, with N434 million released and N334 million expended by mid-year. Capital expenditure of N820 million has yet to be implemented due to delays arising from the bottom-up cash flow management policy and the extension of the 2024 capital budget to December 2025,” she said.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Pensions, Hussaini Jallo, advised the agency to address gratuity provisions, capital project implementation, and compliance with Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) requirements, ahead of its 2026 budget defence.
The lawmaker applauded PTAD for its steady progress in implementing pension reforms and improving the welfare of retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).
He also praised the agency for what he called its “tangible efforts to safeguard the welfare of pensioners”.
Jallo noted that the directorate had consistently demonstrated commitment to accountability and service delivery.
The committee chairman reminded PTAD of the need to embrace CSR as part of its plans.
He promised that the committee would ensure CSR provisions are reflected in the 2026 budget of all pension-related agencies.
“Corporate social responsibility is not just about compliance; it’s about giving back. As we move into the 2026 budget year, we want to see CSR captured by all pension agencies, including PTAD,” Jallo said.
The committee chairman assured pensioners that the National Assembly was committed to protecting their rights and ensuring prompt payment of entitlements.
He promised that the committee would continue to work closely with PTAD to resolve outstanding issues. He also pledged continued oversight support and PTAD, expressing gratitude for the House Committee’s guidance and collaboration.
Citing sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 81 of the House Standing Orders, Jallo reiterated that the committee was mandated to conduct strict oversight on all pension-related matters.
“The House has directed us to carry out a thorough oversight of pension agencies. Activities in 2026 will not be business as usual. We will enforce accountability and ensure pensioners get what is due to them,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu has asked the senate to approve a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
The request was contained in a letter dated June 15, 2026, and read on the floor of the senate on Tuesday by Godswill Akpabio.
In the correspondence, Tinubu said the proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the 1999 constitution to provide a legal framework for the creation of state police services.
The president said the bill is designed to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by introducing a dual policing structure that would allow both federal and state policing systems to operate within a constitutional framework.
According to him, the proposal builds on previous legislative efforts by both chambers of the national assembly and contains additional safeguards to ensure effective implementation.
“This bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges, will be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.
The president described the proposed legislation as a key component of his administration’s broader plan to reform Nigeria’s security system and improve the protection of lives and property.
“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I’m confident that the Senate will act quickly to consider and pass this bill,” he added.
Read Also: Amnesty International Demands Immediate Release of Omoyele Sowore, Condemns Detention
Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the proposal expeditious consideration.
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the senate committee on constitution review for further legislative action.
The committee was directed to report back to the chamber on the next legislative day.
The Nigerian Senate has fixed Wednesday for the passage of the state police bill.
The lawmakers had cut short their recess to consider the bill, which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution and decentralise Nigeria’s policing system in response to worsening security challenges
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday transmitted an executive version of the bill to the Senate through a letter dated June 15, 2026.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a dual policing system in which federal and state police forces operate alongside each other.
At the plenary on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposal as a key step towards restructuring Nigeria’s security framework.
The proposed legislation was immediately referred to the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, which is expected to present its report for consideration and voting.
Akpabio called on senators to be present for the exercise, stressing the need for broad support to secure its passage.
“Every senator should endeavor to come tomorrow to be part of this exercise.
“We are going to be live tomorrow and your constituents will be seeing what you are doing,” he added.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has presented Certificates of Return to candidates who emerged victorious in the by-elections conducted on June 20, 2026, across Rivers, Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo and Kano States.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the electoral commission.
According to INEC, the certificates were presented on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, by the Supervising National Commissioner for Rivers State, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu.
Speaking during the presentation, Agbamuche-Mbu congratulated the successful candidates and urged them to prioritise the interests of the people they were elected to represent.
“The most important responsibility before you is to represent your constituents well,” Agbamuche-Mbu said.
The National Commissioner also reminded the winners of the expectations placed on them by voters and encouraged them to serve with diligence and commitment.
INEC further disclosed that Certificates of Return would also be presented to winners of other recently concluded elections, including the Zuru State Constituency election in Kebbi State and the governorship election in Ekiti State.
INEC said the presentation of the certificates followed the conclusion of the bye-elections conducted on June 20, 2026.
Tinubu Seeks Constitutional Backing For State Police, Writes Senate
State Police: Senate will formally pass Bill on Wednesday
INEC formally confirms winners of by-elections, issues certificates of return
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