PenCom Describes Diri As Most Worker-Friendly Governor

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has described the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, as the most worker-friendly governor in the country, saying his administration has demonstrated unusual commitment to the welfare and retirement security of workers in the state.

Key Highlights:

• PenCom named Douye Diri Nigeria’s most worker-friendly governor for his pension reforms.
• Bayelsa amended its pension law and strengthened pension institutions.
• The state is preparing to adopt the contributory pension scheme.
• Diri said his government has paid over N20 billion in outstanding gratuities.
• The governor pledged to ensure workers’ security and dignity in retirement.

The commission gave the commendation on Thursday, during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Yenagoa, by a delegation led by the Finance Commissioner, Charles Emukowhate, who represented the Director-General, Ms Omolola Oloworaran.

The commission said the Diri administration has taken various steps to strengthen pension administration in the state, including the amendment of the Pensions Law in December 2022, to align it with the National Pensions Reform Act.

It also stated that the establishment of state pension institutions, appointment of a substantive head of the pensions board in February 2026 and the procurement of employer codes for 108 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were evidence of the administration’s commitment to pensions reform.

It said Bayelsa State is well positioned to become one of the leading states in the implementation of the contributory pension scheme.

He said: “Not many governors are dedicated to these reforms. These achievements are noteworthy, and we believe Bayelsa State is well positioned to take this important step and emerge as one of the leading states in pension reform implementation in Nigeria.

“This is easily the most worker-friendly and worker-centric governor in Nigeria.”

Emukowhate explained that the visit would enable the commission strengthen its collaboration with the state government on pension reform and support the transition to the contributory pension scheme.

He said pension reform is not merely a financial policy but a social protection mechanism that guarantees workers dignity, financial security and peace of mind after years of service.

He urged the state to commence the immediate registration of employees with pension fund administrators and the remittance of both employer and employee contributions.

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The commission also recommended the engagement of qualified actuaries to determine accrued pension rights and the establishment of appropriate funding arrangements, as well as a group life insurance policy to protect the families of workers who die in active service.

Responding, Governor Diri said the welfare of workers and pensioners remain a major priority of his administration, recalling that his government inherited a huge backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities when it assumed office in 2020.

According to him, some senior citizens have been owed gratuities dating back to 2007, adding that his administration has since paid more than N20 billion in outstanding gratuities to retirees.

Governor Diri said the local government system also inherited significant pension and gratuity liabilities, but his administration intervened by supporting the councils financially and undertaking reforms that enabled them to clear their outstanding pension and gratuity obligations.

He assured that his administration is determined to institutionalise a pension system that guarantee workers security and dignity after retirement.

He said his administration has commenced the process of transitioning the state to the contributory pension scheme, including the determination of accrued liabilities and the review of actuarial reports.

He added that the state has amended its pension laws, engaged consultants and is now at the stage of employee registration, modalities for settling existing pensioners and commencement of the scheme.