Tinubu orders immediate rollout of free healthcare for low-income retirees

President Bola Tinubu has directed the swift implementation of a free healthcare access initiative for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), in a move aimed at strengthening social protection and improving the quality of life for elderly Nigerians.

The presidential directive followed a briefing from Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), on the planned healthcare support program for retirees.

In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the initiative as a vital step toward upholding dignity in retirement, especially for vulnerable pensioners who contributed to national development.

In addition to the healthcare initiative, the President also called for the prompt implementation of long-overdue pension increases and a minimum pension guarantee.

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These measures are intended to create a safety net for the most vulnerable pensioners under the CPS.

During the briefing, President Tinubu gave a further mandate to the PenCom DG to urgently resolve the longstanding police pension issue.

He emphasised that members of the police force, who have served and protected the nation, deserve to retire with dignity and peace of mind.

Ms. Oloworaran also updated the President on other key initiatives, including efforts to preserve the value of pension fund assets against inflation and a plan to introduce foreign currency contributions. This new initiative would enable Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in the pension system.

President Tinubu expressed strong support for the reforms, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and protection for ordinary Nigerians.

The directives follow a briefing from the PenCom DG on a suite of transformative pension initiatives designed to enhance retiree welfare and expand the pension scheme’s reach.