Experts weigh in as Tinubu directs free healthcare for low-income retirees
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the rollout of the free healthcare access initiative for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). He described the initiative as a critical component of social protection and dignity in retirement. The president also called for the implementation of “long-overdue pension increases and a minimum pension guarantee,” which […]
Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the rollout of the free healthcare access initiative for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
He described the initiative as a critical component of social protection and dignity in retirement.
The president also called for the implementation of “long-overdue pension increases and a minimum pension guarantee,” which would provide a safety net for the most vulnerable pensioners under the CPS.
This is as experts called for a well monitored implementation process of the initiative to enable it work for those it is meant for.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, also disclosed that the president has directed the immediate resolution of the longstanding police pension issue, explaining that the policemen who served the nation deserve to retire with dignity.
The president gave the directives after receiving a briefing from Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
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.
Onanuga said the DG also briefed the president on ongoing efforts to ensure the value preservation of pension fund assets, especially in the face of inflation and macroeconomic pressures, as well as plans to introduce foreign currency contributions to enable Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in the pension system
President Tinubu supported the reforms, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and protection for ordinary Nigerians.
During the briefing, the DG updated the president on a suite of transformative pension initiatives to enhance retiree welfare and expand the Pension Scheme’s reach.
Directive a respite for low income pensioners – COPEHRA
Speaking on the initiative, a pension expert at the Contributory Pension and Happy Retirement Advocacy (COPEHRA), Mr. Sani Mustapha, said the presidential directive is a respite for pensioners who are earning low pensions especially as it relates to their health and well-being.
“The directive by the president for healthcare coverage on low income retirees is a huge respite for them considering the current state of pensioners who die often due to lack of funds to cater for their health at old age.”
He explained that with the directive, these pensioners will not have to pay out of pocket from their meager Pension for healthcare.
Speaking further, he said for the directive on pension increase, “The N750bn bond floated by the Federal government has already taken care of that with accrued rights and other pension arrears to be taken care of.”
Mustapha added that on the issue of police pensioners, their agitations can be sorted out within the Contributory pension scheme, adding that the implementation of the new presidential directive will not be a much problem as government can sort out alternative funding for such purposes
On his part, a development expert, Joseph Momoh, noted that the pension regulator must map out a clear funding plan for the implementation of the presidential directive.
“The directive is a welcome development but you also know that it comes with financial implications. For instance, as experts, we will ask where the money will come from to grant them free healthcare. Will they liaise with HMOs or the National Health Insurance Scheme? So, a funding plan is critical.
“Secondly, the issue of pension increase has been on the front burner for a long time, especially with the recent protest by retired Police officers. Therefore there is a need for the government to clarify if the amount is coming from appropriation or the bond they just floated to clear arrears,” he said.
Morakinyo Rilwan, who also weighed in on the new development, said policies in Nigeria need to be monitored very well for proper implementation.
Rilwan, who is the National Chairman of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institutions Sector, said: “Policies in Nigeria, no matter how well-intentioned, often fail due to corruption.
“While the idea of providing healthcare for retirees is commendable, we must critically examine the current Contributory Pension Scheme. How effective is it in practice?
“A person may retire today, yet despite having contributed to the scheme, they often have to wait for years before receiving their pension. And when it’s finally paid, it’s rarely the full amount they contributed.
“Take the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as an example. When you visit the hospital, the medications given to NHIS enrollees are noticeably different—and often of lower quality—compared to those offered to patients who pay out of pocket.
“In Nigeria, politics and policies may look good on paper, but the real challenge lies in implementation.”
He urged the government to address the issues within the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to ensure that retirees actually receive their pensions.
According to him, if retirees are paid their entitlements as and when due, they can take care of themselves with their own money, but “unfortunately, initiatives like this often appear to benefit others rather than the ordinary retirees they are meant for. In Nigeria, policies must be closely monitored to ensure proper implementation—no matter how good a policy may seem on paper,” he said.
On his part, a psychiatrist, Michael Kelvin, said the directive’s workability hinges on several practical, institutional and financial factors.
Kelvin said focusing on low-income retirees under the CPS makes implementation more manageable. “Also, I think the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and PenCom can collaborate to manage enrollment and benefits.”
Another medical expert, Abdulyassar Hassan, said it would help to resolve the police pension issue if well implemented.
“Police officers have long complained about pension disparity and inefficiency. Tinubu’s directive adds urgency and authority.”
Nigerian Union of Pensioners react
Reacting to the development, the spokesman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Bunmi Ogunkolade, welcomed the new directive by the president, noting that it has always been the center of pensioners’ agitations.
“This has always been what pensioners have agitated for, so that we can retire in dignity. For the president to do it is a welcome development,” he said.
He, however, appealed to the National Pension Commission to ensure speedy implementation and not delay the directive.