The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has commenced the payment of newly approved pension increments for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), following the partial release of emergency funds by the Federal Government.

In a statement issued on its official X handle, PTAD confirmed that the adjustment which includes a flat rate increase of N32,000 and percentage increments of 10.66 percent and 12.95 percent   will reflect in the September 2025 payroll. 

The package is expected to benefit about 832,000 pensioners currently under PTAD’s management.

The development comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August approved an emergency budgetary allocation to support pension reforms and welfare enhancements for DBS retirees. PTAD noted that the implementation was made possible through the release of N820.188 billion from the Federal Ministry of Finance, out of a total of N845 billion earlier approved.

The statement reads in part:“Further to the President’s approval of the emergency budgetary allocation for the payment of the new pension increment rates for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS) that was earlier published by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate on Friday, 8th August, 2025, the Directorate is delighted to announce the commencement of the implementation of the 832,000, 10.66 percent and 12.95 percent pension increment for eligible pensioners under the management of PTAD, in the September 2025 pension payroll cycle.

“This achievement has been made possible through the partial release of 820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance, from the initial 845 billion emergency funding approval granted by the Federal Government.

“This milestone clearly reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of DBS Pensioners in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The initiative follows a formal request by Tolulope Odunaiya,  executive secretary of PTAD,  seeking emergency budgetary intervention to implement the pension reforms.

The directorate expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, key presidential aides, and parliamentary committees for their roles in securing approval and disbursement. It also acknowledged the cooperation of organised pension groups such as the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria during consultations.

“We further assure all our DBS pensioners and stakeholders that the Directorate will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities towards the release of the outstanding approved funds and subsequent fulfilment of all future obligations relating to the pension increments and the landmark reforms,” the statement added.

The Defined Benefit Scheme covers pensioners who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including staff of defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals.