Reps urge PTAD on inclusion of CSR in 2026 Budget

….Commend PTAD’s Pension Reforms

By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

The House of Representatives Committee connected Pensions has called connected the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to code gratuity provisions, superior task implementation, and compliance with Corporate Social Responsibility requirements, up of the 2026 fund defense.

The Commitee besides applauded the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) for its dependable advancement successful implementing pension reforms and improving the payment of retirees nether the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

Speaking during the Directorate’s 2025 fund show presumption successful Abuja, PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya outlined cardinal milestones achieved contempt backing challenges. These see the seamless implementation of the 28% pension summation approved successful 2024, outgo of arrears to implicit 155,000 pensioners, and caller statesmanlike approvals to wide outstanding arrears, present wellness security sum for pensioners, and fortify the Defined Benefit Scheme.

She disclosed that ₦128.9 cardinal was appropriated for pensions successful 2025, with ₦62.7 cardinal released by June and ₦56.6 cardinal already utilized, representing 91.2% of releases. She added that portion nary allocation was made for gratuities successful the existent twelvemonth owed to an oversight, PTAD continues to conscionable its pension obligations and is moving with the Federal Government to code unfunded liabilities and different challenges.

The Executive Secretary besides admitted that nary funds were appropriated for gratuities successful the 2025 fund owed to what she described arsenic an “inexplicable oversight,” contempt ₦777.8 cardinal being allocated and afloat released successful 2024. She besides disclosed that ₦25 cardinal was appropriated for unfunded pension liabilities successful 2025, with ₦13 cardinal released and ₦8.7 cardinal utilized truthful far.

“On unit expenditure, ₦2.4 cardinal was appropriated for 2025, of which ₦1.09 cardinal had been released and afloat utilized. Overhead costs recorded ₦1.49 cardinal successful appropriations, with ₦434 cardinal released and ₦334 cardinal expended by mid-year. Capital expenditure of ₦820 cardinal has yet to beryllium implemented owed to delays arising from the bottom-up currency travel absorption argumentation and the hold of the 2024 superior fund to December 2025.

The Executive Secretary besides highlighted PTAD’s achievements, including the seamless implementation of the 28% pension increment approved by the Federal Government successful 2024, ongoing arrears payments for pension increments, and caller statesmanlike approvals covering wellness security for Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners and colony of 35 months of pension arrears for NITEL/MTEL retirees. She noted, however, that the bureau was facing eviction from its Maitama bureau and struggling with vendor payments.

Lawmakers, led by Committee Chairman Hon. Jallo Hussaini Mohammed, commended PTAD for what helium described arsenic “tangible efforts to safeguard the payment of pensioners,” noting that the Directorate has consistently demonstrated committedness to accountability and work delivery.

However, the president reminded the bureau of the request to clasp Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arsenic portion of its aboriginal plans, saying the committee volition guarantee CSR provisions are reflected successful the 2026 fund of each pension-related agencies.

“Corporate societal work is not conscionable astir compliance, it’s astir giving back. As we determination into the 2026 fund year, we privation to spot CSR captured by each pension agencies, including PTAD,” Hon. Mohamed said.

He assured pensioners that the National Assembly remains committed to protecting their rights and ensuring punctual outgo of entitlements, adding that the committee would proceed to enactment intimately with PTAD to resoluteness outstanding issues. He besides pledged continued oversight enactment 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, Hon. Mohammed reiterated that the committee has a law work to behaviour strict oversight connected each pension-related matters. He said the committee volition intensify investigations and hole a elaborate study connected PTAD’s operations earlier the adjacent fund cycle.

“The House has directed america to transportation retired thorough oversight of pension agencies. Activities successful 2026 volition not beryllium concern arsenic usual. W...