By Yemi Olajutemu
Ado Ekiti
The Ekiti State Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, has called on pension desk officers across the state to prioritize advocacy and sensitization on the migration from the defined benefit pension scheme to the contributory pension scheme.
This transition, she stated, is crucial for achieving a sustainable pension management system for public servants in Ekiti State.
Dr. Olomojobi made this appeal during a one-day sensitization programme held in Ado Ekiti for pension desk officers. The programme aimed to inform the participants about the advantages of the migration, which would affect public servants retiring from January 1, 2029, onwards.
Highlighting the rationale for the shift, the Head of Service explained that the defined benefit pension scheme has been plagued by challenges such as the rising number of retirees, increased life expectancy, and economic fluctuations, all of which have put a heavy financial burden on the state government.
“The defined benefit pension scheme placed the entire responsibility for pension payments on the government, leading to rising pension liabilities. This unsustainable model has resulted in a backlog of unpaid gratuities and pensions,” Olomojobi noted.
She emphasized that the contributory pension scheme, which distributes pension funding responsibility between the government and employees, offers a more sustainable and transparent solution. According to her, this new scheme empowers public servants with greater control over their retirement savings and ensures long-term financial security.
“All hands must be on deck as we move towards a more secure future for public servants,” Olomojobi stressed. “As pension desk officers, you play a vital role in ensuring that this transition is smooth. Your advocacy and sensitization efforts will determine the success of the contributory pension scheme.”
Dr. Olomojobi also lauded the efforts of Ekiti State Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji in tackling the state’s gratuity debt. She noted that the governor has cleared over ₦4 billion in gratuity payments, reducing the state’s backlog, which currently stands at over ₦20 billion.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ekiti State Pension Commission, Mrs. Omotola Faseluka, underscored the importance of the sensitization programme. She urged pension desk officers to act as ambassadors of the contributory pension scheme and help promote it as the solution to the challenges of the outdated defined benefit scheme.
Faseluka noted that since its introduction in Ekiti State in 2010, with contributions starting in 2017, the contributory pension scheme has seen over 112 retirees receive their benefits promptly. She added that the session was aimed at equipping officers with the necessary tools and knowledge to facilitate the migration process.
The Permanent Secretary further assured the pension desk officers of the commission’s continued support in ensuring a smooth transition, advising them to seek clarification on any issues during the migration.
The event was attended by several top government officials, including Mr. Odunayo Kayode, Special Assistant to the Governor on Transformation and Service Delivery; Mrs. Selinah Toba-Ojo, Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Service Commission; and other senior officials.