The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate has sought to expand the pilot phase of its collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority to enable more pensioners to benefit from health insurance coverage.

This was indicated in a statement following a recent visit by the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Tolulope Odunaiya, to the office of the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri.

In 2023, PTAD and NHIA entered into a collaboration to provide health insurance coverage for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme. The collaboration with the NHIA leveraged the ‘I Am Alive’ confirmation exercise for all verified and pay-rolled pensioners to enrol pensions for health insurance coverage.

“The collaboration between PTAD and NHIA marks a crucial step toward improving healthcare access for Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners, a particularly vulnerable group. The pilot health insurance scheme for selected pensioners is a laudable initiative, and expanding it to include more beneficiaries would further enhance social protection for retirees,” read part of the statement.

Ohiri emphasised that “investing in accessible healthcare is essential for national progress. With 2.7 million new enrollees last year, NHIA’s initiatives are making a significant impact, and partnerships like this will further strengthen its reach. PTAD’s request to expand the pilot phase reflects its dedication to the well-being of pensioners, ensuring they receive not only financial support but also quality healthcare in retirement.

“This development highlights the vital role of inter-agency collaboration in advancing national social welfare goals.”

Odunaiya, in her remarks, extended PTAD’s appreciation to the NHIA for its support and collaboration in the pilot scheme of the health insurance coverage for selected pensioners.

The Defined Benefits scheme was in place before the enactment of the Pension Reform Act 2004, which established a Contributory Pension Scheme for all employees in Nigeria. The DBS was largely unfunded, non-contributory, and was also referred to as the Pay-As-You-Go Scheme. Employers paid retirees gratuity and pension, but the scheme was largely characterised by a deficit in funding and was managed differently by various employers.

The PTAD is responsible for payment to existing retirees of the Federal Government that retired up to June 2007.