FG Intensifies Drive for Pre-2004 Civil Servants’ Pension Verification Amid Low Turnout

By Ifeyinwa Ike

The Federal Government has ramped up efforts to boost participation in the ongoing Online Verification and Enrolment Exercise for treasury-funded civil servants employed before June 30, 2004, following disappointing turnout.

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) is leading the one-time nationwide drive, which began February 2 and ends July 31, 2026.

It aims to capture accurate data for paying accrued pension rights under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), settling legacy debts from the pre-2004 Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

Under Section 15(1) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, these workers qualify for DBS benefits funded through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund.

PenCom’s new Contributions and Bond Redemption Application (COBRA) platform uses biometrics and real-time checks to replace manual processes plagued by errors and delays.

The exercise rolls out in phases to avoid overload: Phase 1 (February 2–March 31): Retirees from 2027–2029.
Phase 2 (April 1–July 31): Retirees from 2030 onward.

On April 27, Head of Civil Service, Didi Esther Walson-Jack issued a circular mandating Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to upload employee details to COBRA. Affected staff must then visit Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) with documents, coordinated by trained Pension Desk Officers (PDOs).

PenCom warns that missing the exercise could delay retirement benefits, as it computes accrued rights for government budgeting.

Permanent Secretaries are urged to publicise the directive widely. Officials emphasise full compliance to ensure seamless pensions for public servants.