Kogi State is taking bold steps to overhaul its pension system with a planned migration from the Defined Benefits Scheme to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), set for full implementation in 2025, according to the State Pension Commission (PENCOM).
The Director General of PENCOM, Hajia Mariam Abedo, disclosed the development during a strategic engagement with Ismail Isah, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, at the Commission’s headquarters in Lokoja.
Abedo said the Commission has already launched the pre-implementation phase, which includes staff data collation and registration with Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), laying the groundwork for a seamless transition.
Under the CPS, public servants will contribute 8% of their salary, matched by a 10% state contribution, creating a sustainable structure to guarantee timely and secure retirement benefits.
“This reform is designed to eliminate the delays and frustrations pensioners have faced under the old system,” Abedo explained. “The Contributory Pension Scheme offers transparency, prompt access to benefits, and ensures dignity for our retirees.”
Since taking office in August 2020, Abedo said the Commission has made significant strides, including clearing a backlog of gratuities dating back to 2002 and consistently ensuring on-time monthly pension payments.
She also highlighted the success of the “I Am Alive” biometric verification system, which allows pensioners to confirm their status at any commercial bank, removing the burden of traveling to Lokoja for verification. She described it as the most efficient innovation in the state’s pension history.
The DG praised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his unwavering support to pensioners, noting his approval of a new PENCOM headquarters complex—Pencom House—in Lokoja, and regular releases of gratuity funds.
“Governor Ododo has been a steadfast partner in pension reform. Even before his election, he was deeply involved in efforts to improve pension administration in the state. His commitment is what drives our momentum today,” she added.
The transition to the CPS marks a major milestone in Kogi’s quest to modernize public service administration and secure a better future for its workforce.