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By Bimbola Oyesola
The Federal Government has intensified its push for compliance in a critical nationwide pension verification exercise, warning civil servants to act swiftly or risk complications in accessing their retirement benefits.
At the centre of the renewed urgency is the mandatory Online Verification and Enrolment Exercise targeting treasury-funded civil servants employed before June 30, 2004—many of whom are yet to participate despite repeated calls.
Officials say the exercise, coordinated by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), is vital to ensuring that eligible workers receive their accrued pension rights under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
“The objective is simple but crucial—capture accurate and complete data that will guarantee timely pension payments,” a senior PenCom official said, underscoring the stakes involved.
Launched on February 2, 2026, the exercise is scheduled to conclude on July 31, 2026, leaving a narrowing window for thousands of eligible public servants to comply.
The initiative forms part of broader government efforts to resolve longstanding pension liabilities inherited from the old Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), which was replaced in 2004.
Under the Pension Reform Act 2014, workers who transitioned into the CPS are entitled to accrued pension rights benefits earned before the new system came into force.
To meet these obligations, the law established the Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund, domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria, ensuring that legacy pension commitments are properly financed.
In a directive dated April 27, 2026, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Didi Esther Walson-Jack ordered all MDAs to support the exercise, stressing that verification is essential for determining the government’s outstanding liabilities.
“Without accurate data, the government cannot make adequate budgetary provisions,” she stated, calling for immediate action across all ministries and agencies.
A key feature of the current exercise is its fully digital approach, marking a departure from the error-prone manual processes that previously slowed pension administration.
PenCom has deployed a new digital platform—known as the Contributions and Bond Redemption Application (COBRA) to enable real-time data capture, validation and processing.
The system incorporates biometric verification and cross-checks employment records, significantly reducing errors that could delay pension payments upon retirement.
To manage the process efficiently, the exercise has been rolled out in phases, beginning with workers due to retire between 2027 and 2029, and now focusing on those retiring from 2030 onwards.
Despite these structured efforts, participation levels have remained below expectations, prompting concern among policymakers and labour stakeholders.
As a result, MDAs have been directed to upload details of eligible staff onto the platform, while employees must complete their enrolment with their respective Pension Fund Administrators.
Pension Desk Officers within each organisation have also been mobilised to guide workers through the process and ensure compliance.
PenCom has reassured workers that participation will enable accurate computation of accrued pension rights and help the government plan effectively for payments.
“Those who complete the process will enjoy seamless access to their benefits immediately after retirement,” the commission said in a statement.
However, officials warn that failure to participate could lead to delays, disputes, or difficulties in accessing entitlements when workers eventually retire.
With the July 31 deadline fast approaching, the government is urging Permanent Secretaries and agency heads to intensify awareness campaigns and close the enrolment gap.
