James Emejo in Abuja
Director General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Ms Omolola Oloworaran, Wednesday revealed that the fee will unveil a healthcare programme for retirees subsequent month.
The transfer is a part of efforts to cut back medical bills that erode pension earnings and undermine the monetary safety of senior residents.
She spoke on the Senior Citizens Fair, with the theme, “Pension for All: Building a Secure Future Together,”
in Abuja, held as a part of actions marking National Pension Week 2026.
She mentioned the PenCare initiative was present process a pilot part forward of its nationwide implementation, with the programme designed to enhance retirees’ entry to healthcare and deal with issues over the rising price of medical providers.
The initiative is anticipated to assist pensioners handle healthcare bills after retirement, when restricted and infrequently fastened incomes depart many susceptible to rising residing prices and sudden medical payments.
Oloworaran mentioned the fee was dedicated to integrating healthcare into retirement safety, stressing that Nigerians who had spent years in private and non-private service deserved to reside with dignity with out struggling to afford important medical remedy.
She defined that the formal inauguration, initially scheduled to maintain right this moment had been postponed due to scheduling constraints.
The well being iniatiative seeks to deal with a essential dimension of retirement safety, as healthcare bills can rapidly devour pension funds and depart retirees with fewer sources for meals, housing and different primary wants.
Beyond healthcare entry, the PenCom DG recognized disparities in pension funds amongst retirees in related circumstances as one other concern requiring pressing consideration from the related authorities.
She mentioned the fee would proceed to strengthen the insurance policies, legal guidelines and laws governing pension administration to defend beneficiaries and enhance retirement outcomes.
Oloworaran additionally urged retirees to present suggestions on their experiences with the pension system, noting that such engagement would assist the fee determine service gaps and develop extra responsive insurance policies.
She reaffirmed PenCom’s dedication to working with labour unions and different stakeholders to resolve pension-related issues and enhance service supply.
Speaking on the occasion, PenCom’s Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Charles Efe-Emukowhate, mentioned healthcare help would assist retirees protect extra of their pension earnings for different important bills.
He counseled President Bola Tinubu for approving the settlement of ₦758 billion in inherited pension liabilities, describing the transfer as a major dedication in the direction of addressing excellent pension obligations.
Emukowhate additionally assured pensioners that the fee would maintain regulatory oversight of the pension business, defend retirement financial savings and make sure that beneficiaries obtained their entitlements as and when due.
He, nonetheless, warned retirees in opposition to fraudsters providing unrealistic funding returns, significantly schemes promising to double their financial savings.
He suggested pensioners to confirm unsolicited funding proposals with PenCom or their Pension Fund Administrators earlier than committing their funds, warning that retirees may lose their financial savings to fraudulent operators.
Meanwhile, Consultant Geriatrician and Founder of JBS Gerontology Centre, Dr. Olutoyin Akande-Ajala, urged retirees to undertake wholesome ageing practices to protect their independence and high quality of life.
Speaking just about on the honest, she defined that wholesome ageing didn’t essentially imply residing with out sickness however managing medical situations successfully whereas retaining the flexibility to carry out on a regular basis actions.
She suggested older individuals to train repeatedly, eat balanced diets, bear routine medical examinations, monitor their blood stress and blood sugar ranges, and cling to prescribed medicines.
Akande-Ajala additionally urged retirees to search immediate medical consideration for persistent signs, together with recurrent falls, unexplained weight reduction, worsening reminiscence and extended fatigue, relatively than dismissing them as inevitable penalties of ageing.
She emphasised the significance of sustaining social relationships, partaking in mentally stimulating actions and looking for acceptable help for melancholy, loneliness and important reminiscence adjustments.
The geriatrician additional urged households to respect older individuals’ independence and contain them in selections affecting their well being and welfare.
The Senior Citizens Fair introduced collectively retirees, pension beneficiaries, pension professionals and different stakeholders to talk about healthcare entry, monetary safety and techniques for enhancing retirement outcomes.
The occasion featured wellness actions, well being screenings and pension info periods, together with info on PenCare and the method of registering for medical insurance.
The honest fashioned a part of PenCom’s broader efforts to promote retirement safety and enhance the welfare of pensioners.
