The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has ordered a one-off nationwide online verification and enrolment exercise for serving federal workers employed before June 30, 2004, as part of efforts to resolve outstanding accrued pension rights and persistent delays in retirement benefit payments.
PenCom disclosed this in a circular dated Jan. 19, 2026, addressed to heads and chief executive officers of treasury-funded Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
According to the Commission, the exercise targets federal employees entitled to accrued pension rights under the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014.
PenCom explained that Section 15(1) of the PRA 2014 recognises pension benefits earned by employees for services rendered before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in June 2004.
It noted that such liabilities are to be settled through the Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund (RBBRF), which is managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The Commission said the verification exercise is necessary to enable the Federal Government to accurately determine its pension liabilities, ensure timely release of funds, eliminate delays in processing retirement benefits and guarantee prompt payment of pensions at retirement.
PenCom stated that the exercise would be conducted in two tranches between Feb. 2 and July 31, 2026.
The first tranche, scheduled for Feb. 2 to March 31, 2026, will cover employees employed before June 30, 2004, who are due to retire between Jan. 1, 2027 and Dec. 31, 2029.
The second tranche will run from April 1 to July 31, 2026, and will cover employees employed before June 30, 2004, who are due to retire from Jan. 1, 2030 and beyond.
PenCom directed all affected MDAs to upload the details of eligible staff on the Commission’s enrolment portal via the Contribution and Bond Redemption Application (COBRA) beginning from Feb. 2, 2026.
It also directed affected employees to complete their online verification and enrolment with their respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) within the stipulated timelines.
The Commission clarified that the exercise would not affect employees whose service has been extended under any Federal Government policy.
PenCom assured that full compliance with the directive would help prevent the recurring hardship faced by retirees arising from unpaid accrued pension rights.
The circular was signed by Mr Usman Musa, Director, Contribution and Bond Redemption Department, PenCom.
