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Economy

Pension: 187 Agencies Get N3.3bn Increment Arrears

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By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja with Agency Reports

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has paid the sum of N3.366 billion to pensioners of 187 agencies.

According to PTAD, the payment covers six months of the outstanding arrears of the 33% pension increment for pensioners across five sectors: Education, Health, Other Public Sector Research Institute (OPSRI), Power, and Universities.

The directorate said that it has now offset 30 months arrears for pensioners in agencies across 5 sectors under Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD).

Daily Asset recalls that between June 2016 and December 2018, PTAD paid 24 months arrears to pensioners in these agencies.

 At the time of its takeover of payment of Parastatals pension in 2015, the Directorate had inherited outstanding 33% pension increment liabilities from the various agencies.

PTAD further has assured that all arrears would be paid in due course.

This payment according to the agency, was in fulfilment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to clear outstanding pension arrears for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme.

Meanwhile, some insurance and pension experts have called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the raging issue of poor pension benefits being paid to some retirees of the Nigeria Police.

The experts made the call-in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday against the backdrop of recent demonstrations across the country by some police retirees.

The retirees, who are under the contributory pension scheme being managed by NPF Pensions Limited, alleged that they were shortchanged as they were paid as low as N2 million lump sum on retirement.

Oku Nana, the Chairman of Retired Police Officers Association (Under the Contributory Pension Scheme) in Lagos, said that some retired middle cadre officers in the police were paid as low as N3.5 million lump sum instead of N10 million paid to their mates in other agencies.

He said this was in gross violation of the provisions of the Pension Act of 2004.

The experts told NAN that the problem might be due to low savings in the officers’ Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA).

They alleged that their employer (The Nigeria Police) might not have made the mandatory counterpart contributions to their RSAs as required by law.

Mr Mufutau Oyegunle, an insurance and pension analyst in Lagos, said that the issue of unfounded account that the police retirees faced was not uncommon.

“It is not that the pension monies were not deducted from the retirees, but just that the monies were not remitted.

“So, zero account means zero returns on investment which affects gratuity,” he said.

Oyegunle said this could be one of the numerous challenges which the NPFPL inherited and was trying to correct.

He suggested a 300 per cent increase across board in the pension entitlements (lump sum and monthly pension) of the affected officers to assuage them.

“It is unjust for an officer who served meritoriously for 35 years to be paid N2 million gratuity upon retirement,” he said.

Dr Edgar Sunday, the Head of Service in Adamawa State, called for proper documentation of pension remittances.

“For example, how much was remitted, the year the money was remitted, the years the remittances covered and beneficiaries.

“We should know that fears of retirement is what is pushing some civil servants that are still in service into corruption,” he said.

Sunday advised President Mohammed Buhari to ensure that pension administrators at the national, state and local government levels manage pension funds in a manner that workers would look forward to retirement without apprehension.

“President Buhari must ensure that pension money diverted are recovered and forwarded to those retirees languishing,” he said.

Mr Leye Awoniyi, an insurance expert in Lagos, advised the Federal Government to devise a way of appropriately compensating the affected police retirees, saying that a labourer deserved his or her wage.

“It is not the fault of these retired police officers, but the system that has allowed this to happen. That a man worked for 35 years and he is not being paid his dues is unfair. The Federal Government must intervene and pay these officers appropriately,” he said.

Mr Otunba Arasi, the Acting Chairman of Federal Civil Service Pensioners in Lagos State, said “we don’t know who is fooling who.’’

“When we go to PTAD, they will tell us the Federal Government has not released money, while the Federal Government said they have released the money.

“We appeal to well mean Nigerians that whoever has President Buhari’s number to please give us,” he said.

Mr. Femi Olaosebikan, a serving police officer in Lagos, expressed fears that this situation would not affect him.

“Is it a crime to be a policeman in Nigeria. How can government stop corruption among us when we are not sure of our pension benefits?”

Economy

SEC Advocates Advanced Financial Inclusion by 2030

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stressed the need for Nigeria to harness its demographic dividend to advance financial inclusion through investments by 2030 for national survival or face deepening inequality.

The Director-General of the SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama said this at the United Capital Asset Management Investment forum on Wednesday in Lagos.

Agama, in his keynote address titled: “Advancing Financial Inclusion through Investments: Bridging

Nigeria’s Knowledge and Wealth Gap,” said Nigeria must harness its demographic dividend to boost investment.

“Our theme, Advancing Financial Inclusion through Investments, is not aspirational; it is foundational to national survival.

“We stand at a pivotal moment. By 2030, Nigeria can either harness its demographic dividend or face deepening inequality. The knowledge-wealth gap is not merely an economic challenge; it is a moral imperative,” Agama said.

He said the term inclusion should be reframed as active financial involvement, where access meets empowerment, and capital becomes a tool for transformation.

Agama said that closing the financial inclusion gender gap could lift 700,000 Nigerians from poverty.

He said, “Nigeria has a great population yet we have a tiny drop of this number of persons involved in the capital market.

“That one reason for poverty, because we are running from money. We have to do something. Our market capitalisation is an opportunity to do something,

We all have

“We need to change the narrative and move the market forward. We must reach out to make the difference. We are committed to protecting investors and developing the market. Our goal is to do the right thing no matter whose ox is gored. We will work by the principles of fairness and equity to change the market. We will provide a fair ground for everyone to aspire.

He noted that MTN Nigeria’s share offering drew 150,000 new investors – 75 per cent women, 85 per cent under 40.

Agama recommended a four-pillar strategy for bridging the gaps.

He listed the four-pillar strategy as democratisation of financial knowledge, catalyse MSME Investment Channels, blended Finance Vehicles: Partner with Bank of Industry (BOI) to de-risk loans for women-led SMEs.

“We need to educate people about finances. As we drive this market, we do so for a purpose, I enjoin everyone to be the disciple and the apostles. Getting this market to move is a deliberate action,” he added.

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Economy

NPA Assures of Over N1.27trn Revenue in 2025

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By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Monday assured that it would take into the coffers massive revenue of over N1.27 trillion in 2025, representing a 40 percent increase from the N894.86 billion it realized in 2024.

This ambitious target, the Authority said, was anchored on sweeping modernization efforts, the full activation of the Dangote Refinery’s marine operations, and the deployment of cutting-edge technology to enhance port efficiency.

Managing Director of the NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this in a presentation during his agency’s budget defence session wih the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbours, where he defended the agency’s 2025 budget estimates and provided insights into its 2024 performance.

“Our 2025 budget proposal is more than figures, it reflects our aspirations for a more efficient, globally competitive port system,” Dantsoho told lawmakers, adding that over 70% of the proposed expenditure will go into capital projects.

For 2024, the Authority surpassed its revenue target of N865.39 billion, posting an actual realization of N894.86 billion.

However, Dantsoho revealed that only N417.86 billion, less than half of the approved N850.92 billion expenditure, had been spent as of the time of reporting.

Despite this, NPA made a record contribution of N400.8 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in 2024, nearly double the N213.23 billion remitted in 2023. Of this amount, a staggering N344.7 billion was deducted at source.

“This shows our unwavering commitment to national revenue generation, even when our own operational liquidity is affected,” the NPA boss stressed.

Dantsoho said the projected revenue increase is premised on several key assumptions and developments, including: The full operation of the Dangote Refinery, which alone is expected to draw in over 600 vessels annually through its Single Point Mooring (SPM) system; the commissioning of upgraded terminals at WACT and OMT, which will enhance container traffic; the implementation of automation tools such as the National Single Window, Port Community System (PCS), and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS); and increased cargo volumes stemming from global disruptions, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has affected global trade routes.

He said the 2025 revenue is expected to come from the following key sources: Ship Dues, N544.06 billion; Cargo Dues, N413.06 billion; Concession Fees, N249.69 billion; and Administrative Revenue, N73.07 billion

Of the proposed N1.14 trillion total expenditure for 2025, N778.46 billion is earmarked for capital projects.

This investment, he said, will target the revitalization of critical infrastructure, including the Calabar, Warri, and Burutu ports and channels, and enhance towage services, channel depth, and compliance with international security conventions.

“Investments in infrastructure and technology are non-negotiable if we are to stay competitive regionally and globally,” Dantsoho emphasized.

He cited increasing competition from neighboring ports and aging assets across Nigeria’s coastal corridors.

The NPA also intends to address technology gaps by upgrading legacy systems and bolstering cybersecurity, ensuring Nigerian ports meet global standards for digital operations.

“We can say that with timely access to internally generated revenue and capital funds NPA would deliver the kind of impact Nigeria expects,” he said.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, urged the NPA to ramp up performance, improve port infrastructure, and play a greater role in addressing Nigeria’s revenue and unemployment challenges.

Nnaji said the ports remain a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy, and urged the agency to meet rising expectations despite operational challenges.

“No country can thrive economically without high-performing ports. They are the economic heartbeat of every nation, determining how buoyant a country is through the flow of imports and exports,” Hon Nnaji said.

The committee praised NPA for its performance.

Nnaji stressed that the NPA’s performance has implications beyond maritime activity, noting that increased port output can significantly boost job creation across several sectors.

“The Nigerian Ports Authority is not just a revenue-generating agency, it is a national asset in terms of employment and economic impact.

“We expect to see detailed strategies on how to improve revenue generation and expand employment opportunities through your 2025 budget,” he said.

The lawmaker also pointed to growing interest in the development of new ports across the country but cautioned against neglecting existing port infrastructure.

“As we welcome investment in new ports, we must not abandon the old ones. Maintaining and upgrading our existing ports, both in the Eastern Corridor and the Western axis, is essential to long-term sustainability,” he added.

The Committee called for a clear outline from the NPA on how its 2025 financial plan will address pressing national concerns and reaffirm Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global maritime trade.

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Economy

Senate Sets N10trn Revenue Target for NCS, Urges Agency to Curb Smuggling, Illicit Drugs

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By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Senate, through its Committee on Customs has set a revenue target of N10 trillion for the Nigeria Customs Service for the 2025 fiscal year, instead of the initial N6.584 trillion given to her earlier on while urging the agency to clamp down on smuggling and Illicit drugs.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Isah Jibrin (Kogi East), who gave the agency the marching order yesterday in Abuja during the budget defence of the revenue driving agency however commended her for exceeding its 2024 revenue target of N5.

079 trillion.

The NCS team led by Deputy Comptroller General, Jibo Bello who represented the Comptroller General presented the 2024 budget performance with a revenue target of N5.

079 trillion, stressing that the proposal was exceeded by over a trillion naira.

The Committee, obviously impressed by the performance commended NCS before asking them to go ahead and present the 2025 budget proposal, which the agency tied at N6.584 trillion revenue target with an expenditure of N1.132 trillion.

Following their presentation, members of the Senate Committee on Customs unanimously approved the recommendation of the revenue target of N6.584 trillion and the expenditure of N1.132 trillion for the 2025 financial year.

The Committee will subsequently present the budget proposal to the Senate at plenary most likely this week as the red chamber resumes today after a long recess tied to Eid celebration.

In his final remarks, Senator Jibrin emphasised the need for the NCS to rise up in terms of its surveillance with respect to illicit drugs and smuggling “to ensure that, as much as possible, you should be on top of your game”.

He said there are so many illicit drugs flowing all over the place, which according to him “is contributing to the issue of banditry in Nigeria because most of these guys are on drugs. What I’m saying is that, in addition to your revenue drives, you should also be mindful of some of these other functions.

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