BY PATRICK MGBODO
President Bola Tinubu has directed the expedited rollout of the free healthcare access initiative for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), describing it as a critical component of social protection and dignity in retirement.
This was contained in a statement posted, yesterday, on X (Twitter) by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘’President Tinubu Directs Expedited Rollout of Free Healthcare for Low-Income Retirees, Implementation of Pension Increase’’
He also called for the prompt 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.
According to the statement, the President gave the directives after receiving a briefing from the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Ms. Omolola Oloworaran.
President Tinubu further mandated the PenCom DG to urgently resolve the longstanding police pension issue, emphasising that members of the police force, who served and protected the nation deserved to retire with dignity and peace of mind.
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 strongly 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.
