Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Monday, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to enhance the welfare and wellbeing of pensioners in the state.

Mr Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the senior management team of PTAD, led by its executive secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, at Lagos House, Marina.

The governor said his administration holds retirees in high esteem and would continue to engage them with dignity, fairness and equity.

“We in Lagos State understand and appreciate the life and time of our pensioners.

“We know that they have used very active parts of their lives serving the government at one point or the other,” he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos remained the only state in the federation without pension arrears under the contributory pension scheme.

“On the contributory pension, we are the only state today that does not have any pension arrears.

“In the last three years, we have cleared everything that is a liability on our pension. There is no pensioner that would say we owe three years’ money.

“What happens now is that if your documents are complete and you exit, within the first two or three months maximum, you should begin to enjoy everything that you have laboured for, and that is what we are seeing and confirming to you,” he said.

The governor commended the reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu to improve the welfare of pensioners nationwide, adding that Lagos State had undertaken significant reforms to reflect present-day realities.

“For people who have served the country, the minimum we can do is to respectfully give them a space and a listening ear so that in their older years they can know that the government continues to remain appreciative,” he added.

Mr Sanwo-Olu also praised Ms Odunaiya and her management team for their steadfastness and dedication to national service.

Earlier, Ms Odunaiya said PTAD was seeking to strengthen its collaboration with the Lagos State government.

She disclosed that a significant number of the nearly 200,000 pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) administered by the directorate reside in Lagos.

“They are men and women who served Nigeria faithfully and are now in their retirement years.

“What they seek is simple: fairness, dignity and access to the benefits they deserve,” she said.

She described Lagos as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse and the Centre of Excellence.

Ms Odunaiya also commended the governor’s developmental strides in the state.

According to her, the directorate is implementing two landmark reforms under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme following presidential approval granted in August 2025.

“The first is the Pension Harmonisation Policy. In simple terms, it corrects disparities in pensions caused by outdated salary structures over the years.

“This policy is about restoring social justice.

“The second reform provides access to healthcare through the National Health Insurance Scheme, administered by the National Health Insurance Authority.

“This means eligible DBS pensioners can receive medical care close to home without direct financial burden,” she said.

Ms Odunaiya added that the reforms align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr Tinubu and represent deliberate steps towards strengthening social protection and dignity for senior citizens under the scheme. 

(NAN)