The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) are set to formalise a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at tackling widespread fraud and corruption in Nigeria’s pension system.
This development was unveiled on Thursday at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, during a courtesy visit by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Ms Tolulope Abiodun Odunaiya, to ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.
The move comes amid ongoing concerns over the plight of Nigerian pensioners, many of whom have dedicated their lives to public service only to be left struggling to access their rightful entitlements. For many retirees, advancing age brings not relief but an exhausting battle against bureaucratic delays and entrenched corruption.
Dr Aliyu expressed a strong personal commitment to addressing the challenges retirees face.
“I want to thank the Executive Secretary and her team for this important visit. The issue of pensions is very close to my heart, particularly because of the hardship our senior citizens endure just to receive their entitlements,” he stated.
Emphasising the urgency of a unified approach, Dr Aliyu reiterated the necessity of the MoU as a formal mechanism to enhance collaboration between both bodies.
“There is a clear need for this MoU to enable both organisations to jointly combat fraudulent activities and ensure a more efficient pension administration,” he said.
He further remarked that while PTAD oversees pensions under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), systemic corruption stretches beyond its jurisdiction. He cited other pension structures, including the Contributory Pension Scheme, as being similarly vulnerable to manipulation and mismanagement.
To strengthen service delivery, Dr Aliyu urged PTAD to establish a presence in every state across the federation. Such expansion, he argued, would ensure improved access for pensioners and smoother execution of the forthcoming agreement.
In her remarks, Ms Odunaiya welcomed the Commission’s support and highlighted the critical role ICPC plays in safeguarding pension integrity.
“Our efforts have significantly reduced the hardship faced by pensioners. However, we are increasingly challenged by fraudsters who target vulnerable retirees.
We also face setbacks such as prolonged investigations and delays in prosecution, which hamper our ability to deter pension-related crimes effectively,” Odunaiya said.
Reflecting on PTAD’s 12-year reform journey, she noted improvements in verification, benefit calculations, payments, and grievance resolution, all aimed at enhancing pension management.
Both parties reached a consensus that the proposed MoU would create a robust framework for collaboration. It is expected to facilitate real-time information exchange, streamline joint investigations, and reinforce deterrence against pension-related fraud.