PenCom launches ‘Pension Court Judgment’ compendium to boost Nigeria jurisprudence
By Patience Ikpeme
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has marked a significant milestone in the evolution of pension jurisprudence in Nigeria with the compilation and unveiling of the first volume of a comprehensive compendium of pension-related court judgments.
The compendium focuses on rulings by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).
Unveiled during a sensitization workshop for Honourable Judges of the NICN in Abuja on 8 October 2025, the compendium reflects the growing body of legal precedents and judicial interpretation shaping the administration and enforcement of pension laws under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The initiative was embraced by the judiciary, with Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, President of the NICN, who agreed to cooperate closely with PenCom to produce this landmark collection.
The compendium not only showcases the progress made in pension law but also serves as a vital resource for judges, pension practitioners, and stakeholders seeking authoritative guidance on complex pension disputes. It underscores the judiciary’s pivotal role in interpreting pension regulations and resolving retirement benefit conflicts, which directly impact the security of Nigerian workers’ retirement finances.
PenCom’s Director-General, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, stated that the compendium is part of broader efforts to deepen judicial understanding of pension laws and promote transparency, fairness, and efficiency in pension administration.
By providing judges with easy access to key judgments, the Commission aims to enhance the quality of adjudication, foster consistent rulings, and encourage legal reforms aligned with the evolving pension landscape.
This development arrives amid ongoing major reforms within Nigeria’s pension system, including enhanced regulatory oversight and the introduction of new pension products such as the Personal Pension Plan (PPP), designed to expand coverage and offer greater flexibility.
Justice Kanyip, addressing the workshop, highlighted how recent judicial decisions under the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 have shaped benefits administration.
He explained that labour law covers pre- and post-employment rights, including pensions protected by international conventions ratified by Nigeria. The PRA 2014 established the CPS mandating employer and employee contributions to Retirement Savings Accounts managed by licensed Pension Fund Administrators.
However, challenges remain: employer non-compliance, payment delays, limited scheme coverage (about 10% of workers enrolled), and restrictive investment rules.Justice Kanyip raised critical questions about possible reforms, including reducing mandatory employee contributions due to cost-of-living pressures, increasing penalties for defaulting employers, and improving administrative processes through electronic payments and better pension claims tracking.
Justice Kanyip also addressed political pensions paid to former governors and political officeholders, criticizing the social injustice of these generous pensions compared to challenges faced by civil servants. While constitutionally backed, some states have repealed laws authorizing political pensions to prevent public resource drain.
The workshop reaffirmed the NICN’s exclusive jurisdiction over pension payment disputes and concurrent regulatory jurisdiction with other courts, reinforcing the judiciary’s central role in securing Nigeria’s retirement benefits under the PRA 2014.
Overall, the compendium launch signals a strengthened partnership between PenCom and the judiciary, reinforcing commitments to protect contributors’ retirement benefits, improve transparency, and ensure the CPS operates effectively. It is a strategic step toward building a robust legal framework essential for Nigeria’s pension industry growth and sustainability.
