Pension reforms driven by Nigerians’ welfare, not politics, says PenCom DG
The Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Omolola Oloworaran, has dismissed suggestions that the commission’s latest pension reforms are politically motivated, insisting that its priority is improving the welfare of Nigerian workers and retirees.
Oloworaran said the reforms were part of an ongoing programme initiated since she assumed office in July 2024 and were not designed to give President Bola Tinubu political advantage ahead of the 2027 general election.
She spoke on Tuesday while responding to criticism over the timing of the launch of the PenCare Initiative, which some observers said could attract political mileage for the President.
Questioning why the initiative’s timing had become an issue, the PenCom chief said the commission should not delay policies capable of improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians for political considerations.
“Why now? Is there ever a time that is bad for doing good for ordinary Nigerians, for putting a smile on people’s faces?” she asked.
“I don’t get involved in politics, as you guys know. I never talk about politicians or anything politics. We just do our work.”
Oloworaran said several initiatives introduced under her leadership predated the current election period, citing the Pension Post initiative launched last year and a consequential pension increase of N32,000.
She also referenced a January adjustment for retirees of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, which she said resulted in pension increases of more than 1,000 per cent for some beneficiaries.
