President Tinubu approves free healthcare access for low-income retirees

In a major push to improve the well-being of elderly Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate rollout of a free healthcare initiative targeted at low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The directive comes as part of Tinubu’s broader commitment to social protection and quality healthcare for the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president issued the order following a detailed briefing by Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

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

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.