By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) have announced plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly combat fraud and corruption in Nigeria’s pension administration system.
The development was disclosed on Thursday, 15 May 2025, during a courtesy visit to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja by the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Ms. Tolulope Abiodun Odunaiya, and members of her management team.
Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, expressed concern over the ongoing challenges faced by retirees in accessing their entitlements, citing widespread corruption as a major obstacle.
“The issue of pensions is very close to my heart, particularly because of the hardship our senior citizens endure just to receive their entitlements,” he said, stressing the importance of the proposed MoU in enabling both institutions to collaborate effectively in curbing fraudulent practices and ensuring more transparent pension management.
Dr. Aliyu also emphasized that corruption is not limited to PTAD’s operations alone, but affects other pension schemes, including the Contributory Pension Scheme. He called on PTAD to establish offices across all 36 states to bring services closer to pensioners and improve the implementation of joint initiatives.
On her part, Ms. Odunaiya commended the ICPC for its commitment to institutional reform and support in cleaning up the pension system. She highlighted PTAD’s progress over the last 12 years under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), including advancements in verification, payment processing, and complaint resolution.
“Our efforts have significantly reduced the hardship faced by pensioners. However, we are increasingly challenged by fraudsters who target vulnerable retirees. We also contend with delays in investigations and prosecution, which weaken our ability to prevent pension-related crimes,” she noted.
Both organisations agreed that the MoU would serve as a formal platform for closer cooperation, data sharing, and streamlined investigations, with the shared goal of enhancing accountability and eliminating fraud in pension disbursement processes.
The signing ceremony for the MoU is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
