Nigeria launches free healthcare for low-income pensioners
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Vanguard
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu launches PenCare, a national programme to provide free medical care to pensioners, beginning with those on low incomes. The initiative is intended to strengthen social protection for older people, according to the presidential speech reported by Vanguard during National Pension Week.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has launched PenCare, a national programme intended to provide free medical care to pensioners, beginning with those on low incomes. The announcement was made in Abuja on Thursday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who represented the head of state at the opening of National Pension Week, according to Vanguard.
Tinubu has also approved a federal bond worth 758 billion naira to settle accumulated pension entitlements and strengthen the Pension Protection Fund. He presented pensions as deferred wages owed to workers, rather than as a favour from the state.
The Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Omolola Oloworaran, has also maintained 30 June 2027 as the deadline for pension fund administrators and custodians to complete their recapitalisation. The operation is intended to strengthen the sector’s soundness, according to PenCom.
Tinubu said that a reliable pension system must guarantee the security and dignity of pensioners, while mobilising domestic savings and supporting productive investment. The announcement comes after the presentation of the future 2027 Nigerian budget, expected before the end of the year.
