Lagos Has No Pension Arrears, Says Sanwo-Olu as PTAD Pushes Welfare Reforms for 200,000 Retirees

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu insists Lagos is the only state without outstanding pension liabilities, pledges faster payments and deeper collaboration with PTAD

Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared that Lagos State currently has no outstanding pension arrears, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of retirees.

The governor gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by senior officials of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) at Lagos House, Marina. The delegation was led by PTAD Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya.

‘We Owe No Pensioner’

Sanwo-Olu stressed that pensioners remain a priority for his administration, describing them as men and women who devoted their productive years to public service.

“We recognise and value the contributions of our pensioners. They have devoted significant parts of their lives to public service, and we remain committed to treating them with the dignity they deserve,” he said.

Addressing concerns around pension backlogs, the governor stated that Lagos has cleared all pension liabilities under the contributory pension scheme.

“Currently, Lagos State is the only state without any pension arrears. Over the past three years, we have settled all outstanding obligations. No pensioner can claim that we owe them years of unpaid benefits,” he added.

Faster Pension Payments for Retirees

Sanwo-Olu also noted that retirees who complete their documentation now begin receiving their pensions within two to three months after leaving service — a timeline he described as part of ongoing reforms to make the system more responsive.

“For those who have dedicated their lives to public service, the least we can do is provide a system that assures them of our appreciation in their later years,” he said.

PTAD Seeks Continued Collaboration

Speaking during the visit, PTAD Executive Secretary Tolulope Odunaiya revealed that nearly 200,000 pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme nationwide reside in Lagos State. She called for sustained cooperation between the federal pension body and the state government to strengthen support structures for retirees.

Odunaiya also referenced reforms approved in August 2025 by President Bola Tinubu under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, aimed at enhancing social protection and ensuring greater dignity for senior citizens.

The meeting signals renewed coordination between Lagos State and federal pension authorities, as pension reforms and retiree welfare continue to shape governance conversations across Nigeria.