A civil society organization, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure strict oversight of the N758 billion bond allocated for settling pension arrears to prevent mismanagement and sabotage.

In a statement, the National Coordinator of MMWG, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, commended President Tinubu for his decisive action in alleviating the financial hardship faced by federal pensioners. However, he warned that without proper monitoring, the initiative could be undermined by unscrupulous Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) accused of delaying payments and frustrating pensioners.

The statement highlighted concerns that some PFAs have withheld pension payments for nearly two years after retirees left service, further deepening the financial struggles of elderly citizens. It noted that such inefficiencies contribute to corruption within the public sector.

MMWG called on the Presidency and the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) to implement a robust monitoring system to ensure pension payments reach beneficiaries without undue delays. The group also urged state governments to follow the federal government’s lead in clearing outstanding pension debts at the state and local government levels.

Additionally, the organization advocated for an urgent amendment to the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ) laws to impose stricter penalties on individuals and institutions involved in economic crimes, particularly those affecting pension funds.

The appeal comes amid growing concerns about pension management in Nigeria, with stakeholders calling for transparency and accountability in handling retirees’ entitlements.