Federal Government Intensifies Online Verification for Pre-2004 Civil Servants’ Pension Rights
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to boost participation in the ongoing nationwide online verification and enrolment exercise for civil servants with accrued pension rights, following the low turnout recorded so far.
The exercise is being conducted by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) for all active employees of treasury-funded Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), particularly those employed before June 30, 2004, when Nigeria’s Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) was introduced.
According to PenCom, the exercise, which began on February 2, 2026, is scheduled to end on July 31, 2026.
It is aimed at capturing accurate and complete data of eligible workers to facilitate the prompt payment of their accrued pension rights under the CPS.
The Commission explained that the initiative is designed to address legacy pension liabilities inherited from the old Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), which was replaced in 2004. Under the Pension Reform Act 2014, affected workers are entitled to benefits earned under the previous scheme.
Funding for these obligations is provided through the Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund, which is managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In a circular dated April 27, 2026, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, directed all treasury-funded MDAs to fully support the exercise. She emphasised that the verification process is crucial for determining outstanding pension liabilities and ensuring proper budgetary planning for settlement.
PenCom noted that, unlike the earlier manual system, the current process is fully digital and represents a major improvement in efficiency and accuracy.
The Commission has deployed a new platform known as the Contributions and Bond Redemption Application (COBRA), which allows real-time data capture, validation, and processing.
The system also includes biometric verification and cross-checking of employment records to reduce errors and ensure accurate pension payments at retirement.
PenCom urged affected civil servants to participate actively in the exercise, stressing that it is essential for safeguarding their retirement benefits and ensuring seamless processing of entitlements under the pension system.
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