BY SAM OTUONYE

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has called on all the states and local government Councils to implement the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) even as it commended some States for compliance while encouraging others to embrace the Scheme.

PenCom made the call in a statement on Wednesday, noting that many states are yet to implement the CPS as mandated by the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014, noting that the benefits of the Scheme to the taxpayers, retirees and the nation cannot be overemphasized.

It highlighted that in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), state governments have the constitutional right to legislate on pension matters within their jurisdictions. As such, state governments are required to domesticate the CPS by enacting appropriate pension laws within their states.

“In August 2006, the National Council of States adopted the CPS for all states and local governments. To support this adoption, PenCom developed a Model State Pension Law, enabling state governments to modify it according to their unique needs. PenCom reviews draft state pension laws and guides states throughout the implementation process.

“So far, many states are yet to implement the CPS. For a state to implement the CPS in full, the state is required to enact a law on CPS, establish a Pension Bureau, register its employees with Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and commence remittance of pension contributions. The state is also required to carry out Actuarial Valuation, commence funding of Accrued Pension Rights, procure Group Life Insurance for its employees, and open and fund a Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or PFA,” it said.

PenCom commended the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos, Osun, Kaduna, Ekiti, Edo, Ondo, Delta, Benue, Anambra, and Jigawa states for their exemplary implementation of the CPS as at 31 December 2024.

It said, “these states have set the benchmark for sustainable pension administration by ensuring that retirees receive their entitlements promptly. They are consistently remitting both employer and employee pension contributions under the CPS. Meanwhile, Jigawa State remits contributions under the Contributory Defined Benefits Scheme (CDBS).

“Several states have enacted laws to adopt the CPS but have not yet made significant strides towards implementation. These states include Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara.”

PenCom urged these states to accelerate their efforts toward full implementation of the Scheme which includes; the timely remittance of both employer and employee pension contributions, stating that by taking decisive action, these states can align with the pacesetters in ensuring a secure and sustainable retirement scheme for their workforce.

It observed that Akwa Ibom, Borno, Kwara, Plateau, Cross River, and Yobe states had yet to commence implementation of the CPS, encouraging them to expedite the enactment of their CPS laws and take immediate steps towards full implementation to ensure a secure and sustainable pension system for their workforce.

PenCom explained that the transition from the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS) to the CPS at the state and local government levels is both a significant and inevitable step, adding that even states that have not transitioned will ultimately need to adopt the CPS, since the scheme was designed to ensure that all retirees receive their benefits in a timely manner, providing a sustainable and secure retirement for all public sector employees.

“The CPS offers a long-term solution to the pension liabilities that many states currently face. By failing to address pension arrears, states are inadvertently creating a financial burden for future generations, as these liabilities will continue to grow. Adopting the CPS now will help states avoid these escalating costs and provide a more secure financial future for both retirees and taxpayers.

“Moreover, the CPS ensures fiscal discipline by accurately determining and systematically settling pension obligations while also making funds available at the point of retirement for the prompt payment of benefits. This prevents the accumulation of pension arrears, contributing to the financial stability of the public sector,” the Commission noted.

While reaffirming its commitment to driving nationwide compliance with the CPS, PenCom pledged to continue to engage with non-compliant states, providing necessary guidance, advisory support, and technical expertise to facilitate their transition.

“A pension-secure Nigeria is not just a vision but an achievable reality. However, this can only be realised when all states demonstrate commitment by fully embracing the CPS. PenCom remains fully committed to the effective regulation and supervision of the pension industry,” the regulator assured.