By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) says Ogun and Katsina states are on the verge of joining the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), as it intensifies efforts to expand pension coverage across Nigeria.
Director-General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja after the third Pension Industry Leadership Meeting.
She said only eight states currently operate the CPS, describing the figure as too low despite recent progress.
“Ogun and Katsina are at the verge of joining. From the last time we met until now, it’s just two states. While some people may pat themselves on the back, I think it is still very low. We can only do a lot better until we reach all 36 states,” she said.
Oloworaran said PenCom is engaging state governors through the National Economic Council (NEC) and developing incentives to encourage more states to adopt the scheme.
She warned that workers and retirees in states yet to implement the CPS remain vulnerable to delays and uncertainties in receiving their retirement benefits.
The PenCom boss also announced that the commission will hold its first-ever National Pension Week from September 15 to 19, 2026, to boost pension awareness and improve financial literacy among Nigerians.
“The National Pension Week is the first of its kind. It is aimed at drawing attention to the pension industry, bringing stakeholders together and improving pension literacy and awareness among Nigerians,” she said.
According to her, the week-long event will also promote accountability and transparency while encouraging more Nigerians to participate in pension programmes.
On the Personal Pension Plan (PPP), Oloworaran said PenCom is still pursuing its target of enrolling one million women, particularly those in the informal sector, although current enrolment remains below expectations.
“I was hoping that we would get one million women on board, but we haven’t gotten close to that. The numbers are still very low, which is why we are focusing on awareness and pension literacy,” she said.
She said the commission is partnering with market women associations, transport unions and other groups to expand participation, while accredited pension agents continue to drive enrolment across the country.
Oloworaran expressed optimism that sustained awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement would significantly increase enrolment over the next two years.
