The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has sought to address growing concerns among members of the Nigeria Police Force over their participation in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), insisting that the police have not withdrawn from the programme.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, PenCom Director-General Omolola Oloworaran said dissatisfaction within the force stems largely from perceived disparities between police retirement benefits and those received by members of the armed forces.
According to her, many officers believe their pension packages do not adequately reflect their years of service and have pushed for reforms that would place them on a similar footing with military personnel.
“The police have not exited the Contributory Pension Scheme,” Oloworaran said. “They want to exit because they believe their benefits are too small. They compare their benefits with those of the military and are not happy with that.”
She explained that PenCom is not opposed to the demands for improved welfare and has already begun discussions with relevant authorities on possible ways to enhance retirement benefits for police personnel.
“We share their frustration because we support anything that improves the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” she added, stressing that the commission’s priority is to ensure officers enjoy a better standard of living after retirement, regardless of whether such reforms occur within or outside the current pension structure.
Oloworaran acknowledged that opinions within the police remain divided, with some groups still advocating a complete withdrawal from the scheme, while others are focused primarily on securing better retirement packages.
Beyond the police pension debate, the PenCom chief dismissed claims that pensioners routinely experience delays in receiving their entitlements. She maintained that retirees with complete documentation are paid promptly and encouraged contributors with complaints to report them directly to the commission.
According to her, PenCom actively monitors public feedback, including concerns raised on social media, and investigates legitimate cases as they arise.
To improve service delivery, Oloworaran announced plans to introduce a Customer Relationship Management platform that will centralise the process of receiving, tracking and resolving complaints from contributors and retirees.
She also expressed optimism about the future of the Micro Pension Plan, revealing that PenCom expects participation from workers in the informal sector to increase significantly over the next two years.
The commission, she said, is expanding pension coverage by digitising registration processes, simplifying enrolment and licensing accredited pension agents to reach markets and rural communities.
Oloworaran further assured Nigerians that pension funds remain secure despite increased investments in infrastructure and the capital market. She noted that strict regulations guide all investment decisions, limiting pension assets to profitable institutions with strong governance and credit ratings.
She added that PenCom’s recent decision to permit Pension Fund Administrators to invest in the parent companies of their custodians followed an extensive risk assessment and would broaden investment opportunities without compromising contributors’ savings.
