REPEAL SEVERANCE BENEFITS FOR EX-GOVERNORS, RETIRED OFFICIALS – NICN PRESIDENT
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Justice Benedict Kanyip, has urged the repeal of laws granting severance benefits to former governors and top government officials, describing them as morally wrong.
Speaking at the 2025 Judges’ Workshop on the Administration of Retirement Benefits under the Contributory Pension Scheme in Abuja, Justice Kanyip decried the unfairness of wealthy ex-officeholders receiving additional benefits while ordinary workers struggle to access their pensions after decades of service.
He called for a stronger legal framework to ensure prompt payment of retirees’ benefits and clearer sanctions for employers who fail to remit pension contributions.
Also speaking, the President of the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PENOP), Mr. Christopher Bajowa, represented by Mr. Godson Ukpevo, stressed the need for transparency and a humane pension system.
PENCOM Director General, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, represented by Bello Abubakar Malabu, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to timely payment of retirement benefits and deeper collaboration with the NICN to strengthen Nigeria’s pension system.