By Joy Odor – Abuja
Thousands of retired public servants under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) can now breathe a sigh of relief as the Federal Government has commenced the long-awaited pension increments promised under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) confirmed the development, announcing that the ₦32,000 minimum increment, alongside the 10.66% and 12.95% upward adjustments, has been factored into the September 2025 payroll.
This breakthrough comes on the heels of a ₦20.188 billion partial release from the ₦45 billion emergency funding approved by the President for the scheme earlier in August.
“This milestone reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of our DBS pensioners,” PTAD declared in a statement.
The Directorate expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the emergency allocation and acknowledged the coordinated support of key government officials, including Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and other stakeholders whose efforts made the release possible.
PTAD also praised the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) for their patience and cooperation throughout the negotiations.
The Directorate assured that efforts are ongoing to secure the outstanding balance of ₦24.8 billion, promising that all entitlements will be paid in full as part of Tinubu’s broader pension reforms.
For many retirees who have waited anxiously, this payment marks not just financial relief but also a reaffirmation of government’s commitment to their welfare.
“This is Renewed Hope in action,” a jubilant pensioner told reporters. “For years we’ve been forgotten, but now we can see the government remembers us.”
With implementation now underway, pensioners across the country are set to begin receiving the new increments from this month, restoring long-awaited dignity and stability to their livelihoods.
