Customs releases N7.61bn to PFAs for prompt payment to 4,237 retirees
By Ikpeme Patience
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disbursed N7.61 billion to nine Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to settle pension obligations for 4,237 retired officers, the service said on Tuesday.
The move follows a dialogue between Comptroller‑General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and retired personnel aimed at strengthening engagement and addressing welfare concerns.
The funds were released to Access-ARM Pension Managers, Premium Pension, Leadway Pensure, TrustFund Pensions, FCMB Pensions, Veritas Glanvills Pensions, Norrenberger Pensions and Fidelity Pension Managers for onward credit to individual retirees’ accounts.
According to figures presented at the meeting, Premium Pension accounted for the largest share of beneficiaries with 2,268 retirees, while Access‑ARM covered 1,223; Leadway 403; TrustFund 156; FCMB 144; Veritas Glanvills 28; Norrenberger 11; and Fidelity four.
Adeniyi said the payment demonstrates the Service’s commitment to fiscal discipline and to meeting its statutory obligations to former officers. “We must remain strong and financially capable of meeting our obligations to serving officers and retirees,” he said. “The welfare of those who dedicated decades to the Service cannot be separated from the future of the institution.”
The Comptroller‑General framed the dialogue as part of a broader transparency and relationship‑building effort, noting the meeting was convened to reduce the impact of rumours and unofficial information. “I acknowledged your concerns and suggestions raised, and it is in view of this we called for this dialogue to promote better understanding,” Adeniyi told retirees.
Deputy Comptroller‑General in charge of Human Resources Development Tijjani Abe and other management members attended the session and pledged to carry retirees’ issues to the Service’s Board and Management sittings. “Your concerns will receive appropriate attention at our Board and Management sittings,” Abe said.
Retirees welcomed the payments and the chance to engage directly with management, urging that the dialogue become a regular forum. “We appreciate the prompt response and the platform for open discussion; continued engagement will strengthen trust between us and the Service,” one retiree said.
The distribution of N7.61 billion coincides with federal moves to revisit statutory pension provisions, including a review of Section 15(4) of the Pension Reform Act 2014 to align with Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Analysts say clearer statutory guidance and regular, timely remittances to PFAs can reduce pension delays and improve retirement welfare for public servants.
Implications: prompt disbursement to PFAs should improve cash flows to retirees and help restore confidence among former officers, but sustained improvement will depend on continued budgetary commitment, clearer statutory reforms and regular engagement between NCS management and retirees.
