PTAD Expresses Readiness to Collaborate With States on Pension Administration

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has reaffirmed its willingness to work with state governments to improve pension administration.

This is particularly in the area of verification and payment processes, stressing that provided such collaboration is formally requested.

PTAD’s Assistant Director, I.T department, Adamu Ismaila, stated this on the sideline of an interactive session with Newsmen and stakeholders, where concerns were raised over the risks pensioners face in some states due to repeated physical verification exercises, including road accidents and insecurity.

Clarifying its position, PTAD explained that while it has recorded significant success at the federal level under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), the law does not automatically empower the agency to intervene in state pension matters.

“The law does not provide for such unless the state solicits for such a relationship. Then our expertise can now be given,” a senior PTAD official stated.

The Directorate noted that it is open to sharing its technical expertise and operational experience with states, especially in deploying technology-driven solutions such as biometric capture and remote “I Am Alive” confirmation systems that eliminate the need for frequent travel by pensioners.

PTAD further explained that any structured collaboration would require the development of a formal framework, adding that lessons from the federal pension system could be cascaded to the state and local government levels once such a framework is established.

“If other players in the industry require our expertise and request for it, we will be very, very happy to give it,” the agency said.

Emphasising its statutory limitations, PTAD stressed that it cannot impose solutions on state pension authorities without an official request, urging states and relevant stakeholders to initiate engagement where support is needed.

“We cannot come and knock on your door and give you a solution if you don’t ask for it. Ask, and you shall receive,” the Directorate added.

PTAD maintained that broader cooperation between federal and state pension institutions would require policy engagement and possible legal amendments, calling on stakeholders to take the matter up with relevant regulators, including the National Pension Commission (PenCom).