General News
Reps urge PTAD on inclusion of CSR in 2026 Budget
….Commend PTAD’s Pension Reforms
By Saint Mugaga
The House of Representatives Committee on Pensions has called on the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to address gratuity provisions, capital project implementation, and compliance with Corporate Social Responsibility requirements, ahead of the 2026 budget defense.
The Commitee also applauded the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) for its steady progress in implementing pension reforms and improving the welfare of retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).
Speaking during the Directorate’s 2025 budget performance presentation in Abuja, PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya outlined key milestones achieved despite funding challenges. These include the seamless implementation of the 28% pension increase approved in 2024, payment of arrears to over 155,000 pensioners, and recent presidential approvals to clear outstanding arrears, introduce health insurance coverage for pensioners, and strengthen the Defined Benefit Scheme.
She disclosed that ₦128.9 billion was appropriated for pensions in 2025, with ₦62.7 billion released by June and ₦56.6 billion already utilized, representing 91.2% of releases. She added that while no allocation was made for gratuities in the current year due to an oversight, PTAD continues to meet its pension obligations and is working with the Federal Government to address unfunded liabilities and other challenges.
The Executive Secretary also admitted that no funds were appropriated for gratuities in the 2025 budget due to what she described as an “inexplicable oversight,” despite ₦777.8 million being allocated and fully released in 2024. She also disclosed that ₦25 billion was appropriated for unfunded pension liabilities in 2025, with ₦13 billion released and ₦8.7 billion utilized so far.
“On personnel expenditure, ₦2.4 billion was appropriated for 2025, of which ₦1.09 billion had been released and fully utilized. Overhead costs recorded ₦1.49 billion in appropriations, with ₦434 million released and ₦334 million expended by mid-year. Capital expenditure of ₦820 million has yet to be implemented due to delays arising from the bottom-up cash flow management policy and the extension of the 2024 capital budget to December 2025.
The Executive Secretary also highlighted PTAD’s achievements, including the seamless implementation of the 28% pension increment approved by the Federal Government in 2024, ongoing arrears payments for pension increments, and recent presidential approvals covering health insurance for Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners and settlement of 35 months of pension arrears for NITEL/MTEL retirees. She noted, however, that the agency was facing eviction from its Maitama office and struggling with vendor payments.
Lawmakers, led by Committee Chairman Hon. Jallo Hussaini Mohammed, commended PTAD for what he described as “tangible efforts to safeguard the welfare of pensioners,” noting that the Directorate has consistently demonstrated commitment to accountability and service delivery.
However, the chairman reminded the agency of the need to embrace Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as part of its future plans, saying the committee will ensure CSR provisions are reflected in the 2026 budget of all pension-related agencies.
“Corporate social responsibility is not just about compliance, it’s about giving back. As we move into the 2026 budget year, we want to see CSR captured by all pension agencies, including PTAD,” Hon. Mohamed said.
He assured pensioners that the National Assembly remains committed to protecting their rights and ensuring prompt payment of entitlements, adding that the committee would continue to work closely with PTAD to resolve outstanding issues. He also pledged continued oversight support and PTAD expressing gratitude for the House Committee’s guidance and collaboration.
Citing Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 81 of the House Standing Orders, Hon. Mohammed reiterated that the committee has a constitutional duty to conduct strict oversight on all pension-related matters. He said the committee will intensify investigations and prepare a detailed report on PTAD’s operations before the next budget cycle.
“The House has directed us to carry out thorough oversight of pension agencies. Activities in 2026 will not be business as usual. We will enforce accountability and ensure pensioners get what is due to them,” he declared.
By Nick Ibe, Abuja
To cushion the harsh impact of rising living costs, the Federal Government has approved a N70,000 monthly transport intervention for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, .
This was one of the outcomes of the conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Abuja on Tuesday, following renewed pressure from organised labour over the rising cost of living, workers’ welfare and outstanding agreements.
The government also approved the payment of peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.
The parties did not agree on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage, but agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
The resolutions were contained in a memorandum of understanding signed at the end of the meeting by the Director-General of Budget, Timi Yakubu; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
The document made public after the meeting was tagged: ‘Resolutions Reached at a Conciliation Meeting Held at Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Between the Federal Government and the Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday, 27th October, 2026’, outlined agreements on minimum wage negotiations, transport support, outstanding allowances, health workers’ remuneration, tax relief and hazard allowances for agricultural officers.
The meeting followed an earlier conciliation session held on October 22, 2026, convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to address disagreements between the government and organised labour.
On the transport intervention, the document stated, “That transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) commencing from November 2026 would be paid across all levels for a period of six months.”
The agreement trails high transportation costs and the prices of other essential goods following the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Organised labour has repeatedly demanded measures to ease the economic pressure on workers, including reductions in petrol prices, improved wages and the implementation of outstanding welfare agreements.
The memorandum also noted the NLC leadership’s concerns about the government’s handling of its demands.
Addressing the disagreement, it stated that the NLC leadership “expressed concern over the Federal Government’s attitude towards the above issues.”
It added that the Federal Government, in response, “stated that it fully respects the right of the Congress to advocate for improved working conditions for Nigerian workers, and is genuinely trying to address every aspect of it through a structured intervention.”
On the national minimum wage, the parties agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
However, the effective date of implementation remained unresolved.
The document stated, “It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. It should however be noted that there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.”
The disagreement leaves a key issue outstanding despite the commitment to begin negotiations without delay.
The national minimum wage became a major issue in 2024 when the Federal Government and organised labour negotiated an increase in the statutory minimum monthly wage from N30,000 to N70,000. The new rate was subsequently enacted into law through the National Minimum Wage Act.
The latest agreement refers to further discussions and the implementation date of the national minimum wage but does not provide details of the specific proposal under consideration or when the parties expect to conclude the negotiations.
The agreement indicates that while the government has approved some financial interventions, other workers’ demands remain subject to further negotiations, administrative verification or decisions by relevant government bodies.
“Trump… Please bring my son back to me. I am begging you for mercy.” And what Trump did when he heard those words… may bring tears to your eyes.
Her name was Malphine. She was 95 years old. A mother who had spent years waiting. Hoping. Praying. And one day… she finally got the chance to meet Trump. And stood before him. With all the strength she had left. And spoke the only words in her heart. Please. Bring my son home.
And Trump looked at this 95-year-old mother. Held her hands. And gave her a promise. I will bring your son home.
And Malphine held on to that promise. The way only a mother of 95 can hold on to something. When hope is all she has left.
Days went by. Weeks went by. And then one morning… the news finally arrived. Her son Marc was coming home. After years away. After years inside a foreign prison. After years of a mother waking up every single day, wondering whether she would ever get to hold her child again.
He stepped off that plane. And returned home. And when Marc’s feet finally touched American soil… Trump was there. In person. To welcome him. To embrace him. To look him in the eyes and say… welcome home. America has not forgotten you.
And in that single embrace…
Trump showed the world something that no speech and no rally could ever truly express: That America cares about its people. Wholeheartedly. Unconditionally. And never gives up fighting for them.
And today… I sat thinking about that story. And remembered every harsh word I had ever spoken about this man. Every judgment. Every doubt. Every moment I chose to look away. And I felt something I can hardly describe. Deep shame.
Because Malphine trusted Trump at 95 years old. With all the hope she had left. And he helped bring her son home.
Today… this is the side of Trump that so many people may never take the time to see.
Not the Trump in the headlines. Not the Trump on the rally stage. Just a man. Who listened to a 95-year-old mother pleading for her son. Worked to help answer her prayers. And personally showed up to welcome him home.
If this story touched your heart today… let God and every American reading this feel your .
And tell me honestly, in your own words — after reading this… can you still speak badly about President Trump? Because I truly find it difficult to do so. Not anymore. Not after hearing this story.
Sons of Liberty. Maga Movement
–Calls for NSCDC reforms, compensation for victims
By Son Tertsea, Abuja
Dehydration was cause of the death of the detained miners, the panel constituted to investigate the deaths of alleged illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, has stated.
The chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, while presenting the report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday, , said the miners suffered acute respiratory failure.
He also corrected the earlier reports that 37 miners died in custódy, saying 33 miners were confirmed dead.
He said the miners collapsed after calling for water and were ignored by the personnel of the NSCDC.
He added that the detention room was overcrowded and poorly ventilated.
He said the miners were illegally arrested and detained, stressing that they were all detained beyond the legally allowed period.
Part of the panel’s report called for a total reform of the NSCDC as well as solicited compensation for the victims.
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