Retirees can now access benefits without lobbying, says Kogi pension boss

The Kogi state government says retirees can now access pension and gratuity payments transparently and without the need for personal connections or lobbying.

According to a statement on Sunday, Mariam Abedo, director-general of the Kogi State Pension Commission, gave the assurance when Ismaila Isah, special adviser on media to Usman Ododo, the state governor, visited her office in Lokoja.

Abedo said the government has introduced a technology-driven payment system that ensures fairness and efficiency.

“Once a retiree’s documentation is complete, their payment is processed without any influence. We currently process over 200 retirees daily,” she said.

The director-general said the commission has significantly cleared pension arrears as the state has consistently made funds available to meet the obligations of retirees.

She assured that transparency and accountability have improved the commission’s operations, making the payment process smoother and more reliable.

She also warned retirees against falling victim to individuals who claim they can influence the payment of benefits.

According to Abedo, “all entitlements are processed strictly on merit”.

The director-general commended Ododo for prioritising the welfare of pensioners.

The pension director also reassured retirees that payments would continue as funds are available to the commission to pay benefits to retired workers in the state.