The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has refuted allegations that it owes pension benefits to more than 1,000 retirees, insisting that it remains dedicated to the welfare of its former employees. The agency is currently seeking clarification from the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) on outstanding pension-related issues.
Official Response to Allegations
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr. Abdullahi Musa, NAMA stated that claims of non-payment of retiree benefits by certain sector players lack the necessary legal and administrative context surrounding pension administration in the agency.
The statement highlighted that under the current management led by Farouk Umar, retiree welfare has been a priority. This commitment led to the commissioning of a comprehensive actuarial assessment to determine pension adjustments for the years 2007, 2010, 2019, and 2024.
Actuarial Assessment Completed
NAMA confirmed that the assessment exercise has been successfully completed, and implementation of the report is already underway through established administrative channels. The agency further disclosed that it has maintained regular consultations with retiree representatives and other stakeholders on pension-related matters over the years.
During a meeting held on June 10, 2026, management and retiree representatives jointly agreed that clarification should be sought from PENCOM on certain technical issues requiring regulatory interpretation. Following this agreement, NAMA promptly forwarded the necessary correspondence to PENCOM and is currently awaiting an official response.
Full Settlement of Accrued Rights
NAMA also clarified that accrued pension rights for employees who transitioned from the Defined Benefit Scheme to the Contributory Pension Scheme in June 2004 have been fully settled in accordance with the Pension Reform Act. These accrued rights were transferred directly into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of the affected staff, who continue to receive their monthly benefits through their respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and annuity providers.
Warning Against Inaccurate Reporting
The agency warned that inaccurate reporting on pension matters could create unnecessary anxiety among retirees, erode public confidence in institutions, and undermine ongoing efforts to resolve outstanding issues through established regulatory processes. The statement reaffirmed NAMA's commitment to transparency, accountability, and retiree welfare, pledging to continue engaging constructively with PENCOM and recognized retiree associations to ensure that all pension matters are addressed fairly and lawfully.
