The Lagos State Government has announced that it has disbursed a total sum of ₦70.19 billion as accrued pension rights to 20,956 retirees across various government sectors since the beginning of the current administration six years ago.
This was revealed by the Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Bode Agoro, during the 2025 Annual Ministerial Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja. The event was organised to mark the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
According to Agoro, the Sanwo-Olu-led administration has made pension payment and welfare of retirees a major priority under its THEMES+ agenda, which aims to create a more inclusive and people-centered government.
Speaking during the briefing, Agoro explained that over ₦15 billion has also been paid in accrued pension arrears to 6,024 retirees drawn from the Local Government, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and state-owned parastatals.
He noted that the total sum of ₦70,198,214,414.11 was disbursed between May 2019 and December 2024, covering retirees from multiple sectors. “The settlement of these pension arrears is a monumental achievement in the Lagos State Public Service,” Agoro said. “It reflects Mr. Governor’s steadfast dedication to addressing the challenges faced by retirees in the state.”
Agoro further disclosed that between May 2024 and March 2025, the Lagos State Pension Commission generated ₦3.53 billion in revenue from its operations. He praised the agency’s efforts in improving transparency, efficiency, and service delivery in the public pension system.
He added that the governor’s administration introduced the ‘PAY-AS-YOU-GO’ model, a system designed to ensure that retirees receive their entitlements promptly upon retirement, without facing unnecessary delays or backlogs.
During the 103rd Retirement Bond Certificate Presentation Ceremony in 2024, Governor Sanwo-Olu presented over ₦3.1 billion to 1,013 retirees as part of their accrued pension rights. The event marked a milestone in the state’s transition toward the PAY-AS-YOU-GO pension system.
Building on that progress, another ₦4 billion was disbursed to 2,000 retirees during the 105th Retirement Bond Certificate Ceremony, and 1,455 retirees received their bond certificates at the 104th ceremony.
In a major move in May 2024, the governor released ₦4.5 billion to clear a significant part of the pension backlog. These efforts, according to Agoro, are part of the governor’s broader commitment to ensure retirees are not forgotten after years of serving the state.
Agoro stated, “The governor has shown unwavering dedication to clearing pension arrears. His vision is to ensure that our pensioners enjoy a dignified life after retirement. We’re witnessing real change in the state’s pension administration.”
The THEMES+ agenda—an acronym for Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, Security and Governance, plus other developmental areas—includes welfare of pensioners as a key pillar.
Many retirees who have benefited from the disbursements have expressed gratitude to the government for fulfilling its promise and making efforts to clear outstanding entitlements.
Public policy experts and pension rights advocates have praised Lagos State for setting an example that other states can follow. Some observers note that the success recorded so far may pave the way for future automation and real-time payment systems in the civil service.
With pension backlogs reducing and service delivery improving, Lagos is positioning itself as one of the leading states in Nigeria when it comes to post-retirement welfare.
