GOV. DAPO ABIODUN LEADS THE WAY AS OGUN STATE BEGINS PAYING ADDITIONAL PENSION BENEFITS TO HER RETIREES

Prince Dr Dapo Abiodun CON has quietly made another history in Nigeria’s pension space and retirees are already feeling it as the ogun state government presented cheques for Additional Pension Benefits to qualifying retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) today, in what marks the first time any administration in the state and Nigeria has gone this far to back up its promise made to retired workers.

The event, held at the Oba Complex, Abeokuta, organised by the Bureau of State Pensions in partnership with the Office of the Head of Service. It was more than a ceremony. For many of the retirees in attendance, it was the moment a long-standing gap in their post-service welfare finally began to close.

Speaking at the event today, the Honourable Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to Governor, Otunba Dr AbdulRahman OlaDapo Okubadejo, said that the Additional Pension Benefit is designed to work alongside monthly pension payments offering retirees a one-off financial boost that many say they have waited far too long to receive. It is not a replacement for regular pensions but a meaningful supplement that acknowledges the real cost of life after public service.

Governor Dapo Abiodun CON has drawn widespread commendation for driving this reform. He is now the first governor in Nigeria and Ogun State’s history to implement and disburse the Additional Pension Benefit under the CPS — a distinction that speaks to both political will and administrative follow-through.

Otunba Dapo Okubadejo emphasised that compliance with the CPS law is both mandatory and beneficial to employees and the State. He explained that the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) and the CPS are fundamentally different, stressing that the administration of Dapo Abiodun remains committed to addressing identified gaps in order to safeguard workers’ interests.

Otunba Dr Dapo Okubadejo disclosed that the APB as the first of its kind in Nigeria, specifically designed to make the CPS more attractive and to ease fears surrounding retirement security. He said the initiative reflects Government’s proactive approach to pension administration and confidence-building among public servants. Describing the initiative as innovative and unprecedented, the labour leaders pledged full support for the new retirement benefit structure, saying it reflects the administration’s strong commitment to workers’ welfare, dignity and long-term financial security in Ogun State and congratulates the first beneficiaries.

At the event, government officials were clear that this is not charity, but it’s a commitment being honoured. Beneficiaries, for their part, were candid about what the payment means — real financial relief after years of dedicated service to the state. Beyond the cheques, analysts and pension stakeholders see this as a signal. Ogun State is not just reforming on paper. By setting a working benchmark at the subnational level, the state is putting quiet but firm pressure on other state governments to close similar gaps in how they treat their retirees.

#Workers who served deserve better and it is possible to deliver.#