President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate rollout of the free healthcare access initiative for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), calling it a vital step toward social protection and dignity in retirement.
The directive was announced on Wednesday in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the statement, the President issued the order after receiving a comprehensive briefing from the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Omolola Oloworaran.
President Tinubu also pressed for the prompt implementation of long-overdue pension increases and the establishment of a Minimum Pension Guarantee to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable pensioners under the CPS.
“President Tinubu further mandated the PenCom DG to urgently resolve the longstanding police pension issue, emphasising that members of the police force who serve and protect the nation deserve to retire with dignity and peace of mind,” the statement read.
During the meeting, DG Oloworaran updated the President on a number of critical initiatives being undertaken by PenCom to strengthen the nation’s pension system. These include efforts to preserve the value of pension fund assets amid inflation and other macroeconomic challenges, and plans to allow foreign currency contributions a move aimed at enabling Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in the pension scheme.
President Tinubu welcomed the proposed reforms, expressing strong support for PenCom’s vision to enhance inclusivity, transparency, and retiree welfare.
“President Tinubu strongly supported the reforms, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and protection for ordinary Nigerians,” the statement added.
The PenCom DG also shared details of a wider strategy to expand the reach of the Contributory Pension Scheme, improve retiree outcomes, and address systemic bottlenecks that have hindered equitable benefits distribution in the past.
The new measures are part of the Tinubu administration’s broader social security agenda, which seeks to provide a secure and dignified retirement for all Nigerians especially those who served the country under challenging conditions and now face economic vulnerability in old age.
