Now in bookstores: Ex-PenCom DG’s must-read account of Nigeria’s pension revolution

December 4, 2024 10:51 am

The hard copy of ‘Fighting for the Future: Nigeria’s Pension Reform Journey’, authored by Aisha Dahir-Umar, the former director-general of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), is now available at Roving Heights outlets across Nigeria.

The free soft copy of the book, published by Cable Books, an imprint of Cable Newspaper Ltd, was released in October 2023 and has recorded close to 10,000 downloads.

This illuminating book provides an in-depth analysis of the intricate landscape of pension reform in Nigeria and offers valuable insights into the nation’s evolving pension system.

Nigeria’s pension system has undergone significant transformations in recent years — and ‘Fighting for the Future: Nigeria’s Pension Reform Journey’ is the definitive guide to understanding these reforms.

This authoritative book offers a deep dive into the various aspects of the pension reform and serves as an essential compass for navigating the intricacies of these reforms.

Combining a wealth of experience, meticulous research, expert analysis and a clear, engaging writing style, Dahir-Umar has crafted a resource that is both informative and accessible to a diverse readership, including pension practitioners, financial professionals, academics, policymakers and the public.

“I consider this book to be an informative, educative and honest account of the evolution of pensions in Nigeria and I have no doubt that every reader will find it valuable and highly insightful as well,” Muhammad K. Ahmad, pioneer DG and CEO of PenCom, wrote in the foreword.

The key highlights of the book include:

The Old Order: A historical perspective on the evolution of Nigeria’s pension system over the years.
The Turning Point: A chronicle of the pension reform and the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in Nigeria.
Inside the Pension Industry: An insight on the players in the pension industry and their respective mandates.
Policy Pillars: Highlights of the defining policies that have shaped the pension industry since 2004.
The Pushbacks: An expose on the challenges that have beleaguered the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme in Nigeria.
The Media Wars: An account of various media propaganda against the commission and its officers.
Managing Stakeholders: Critical assessment of the PenCom’s engagements with stakeholders in the pension industry.
Success Stories: Highlights of success stories that demonstrate the positive impact of the pension reform on contributors, retirees and the Nigerian economy.
Confronting the Challenges: Insights into the commission’s efforts in resolving challenges in the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Dahir-Umar, a 1983 graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), became a pioneer member of staff of the commission in 2004 after serving as the secretary of the Fola Adeola Pension Reform Committee that birthed the pension revolution. She was appointed the substantive DG of PenCom in October 2020.