Tinubu Approves Pension Harmonisation as PTAD Begins Implementation for DBS
Oru Leonard
ABUJA, May 31, 2026 – The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has commenced the implementation of pension harmonisation for eligible pensioners under the Federal Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), a move aimed at correcting long-standing disparities in pension payments and promoting equity among retirees.
PTAD said the implementation, which took effect from May 2026, followed the approval granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2025 for the inclusion of the harmonisation policy in the 2026 pension budget, in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Directorate described the development as a major milestone in addressing structural imbalances within the Defined Benefit Scheme and strengthening the Federal Government’s commitment to fairness, social justice and the welfare of retirees.
PTAD Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, said the harmonisation initiative would ensure a more equitable pension structure and boost confidence in the administration of the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
According to her, the intervention reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of DBS pensioners and tackling longstanding inequities affecting retirees across the scheme.
Before the harmonisation, pensions were calculated based on the salary structures in place at the time individual pensioners retired from service. Under the new arrangement, however, pensions will be computed using the last salary structure applicable at the cut-off date for the DBS pension.
The new system is expected to ensure that pensioners of similar rank, grade level and years of service receive comparable pension benefits, regardless of when they left service.
PTAD explained that beneficiaries include Pure Federal Pensioners whose pension obligations are fully borne by the Federal Government, as well as eligible State and Federal Share Pensioners under the Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD), Defunct and Transferred Agencies Pension Department (DTAPD), and Tertiary Education and Health Pension Department (TEHPD).
Also covered are pensioners whose benefits were previously calculated using salary structures that predated the final approved salary framework.
Odunaiya reaffirmed PTAD’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of pensioners through sustained collaboration with relevant government agencies to improve their well-being and ensure the continued delivery of pension reforms.
She noted that the implementation of pension harmonisation marks a significant step in recognising the contributions of retired public servants while advancing the Federal Government’s broader agenda of social protection and pension equity.
