Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the introduction of the Additional Pension Benefit (APB) during a cheque presentation ceremony for retirees held at the Oba’s Complex.

Represented by Tokunbo Talabi, the secretary to the State Government, the governor revealed that the initiative will deliver benefits ranging from 116 per cent to as high as 280 per cent of retirees’ Total Annual Emoluments (TAE).

He noted that between 70 and 80 per cent of retiring workers in the state are expected to receive higher gratuities under the new arrangement.

According to him, while the federal benchmark provides gratuity equivalent to 100 per cent of a retiree’s final annual salary, Ogun State has surpassed this by setting a minimum of 116 per cent, with higher payouts tied to years of service.

He stated,

“What this means is that, unlike in the past when gratuity payments were delayed, retirees will now receive improved and timely benefits.

“Our minimum is 116 per cent, going up to 280 per cent, which is significantly higher than the 100 per cent benchmark.”

Abiodun said his administration inherited substantial pension and gratuity liabilities but had since taken deliberate steps to address them comprehensively.

He said beyond settling outstanding obligations, the government ensured that retirees received returns on delayed remittances, thereby enhancing the value of their entitlements.

He explained that under the new framework, retirees now received a one-off lump sum as Additional Pension Benefit, while their full pension contributions remained intact with Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), leading to improved monthly pension payments.

The governor added,

“Previously, about 25 per cent of total pension savings would be taken as a lump sum. Now, that deduction is no longer necessary, as the APB serves as the lump sum, leaving the full contributions to generate stronger monthly pension payments.”

He reaffirmed that despite competing fiscal demands, his administration had prioritised retirees’ welfare, describing their well-being as a moral obligation.

In his remarks, Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, described the initiative as a “game changer” that bridged the gap between the old Defined Benefit Scheme and CPS, ensuring retirees receive immediate financial support upon exit from service.

Dapo Okubadejo, chief economic adviser and commissioner for Finance, traced the evolution of pension administration in the state, saying the CPS, introduced in 2008, faced funding challenges that eroded public trust.

Okubadejo revealed that pension liabilities under the old Defined Benefit Scheme rose sharply, from N2 billion for about 8,198 retirees in 2011 to over N20 billion for more than 16,000 retirees by 2025, highlighting the unsustainability of the previous system.

He added that the state inherited over N42 billion in unpaid pension liabilities as of 2019 but had since taken decisive steps to clear the backlog and restore confidence.

Labour leaders, including Ahmed Benco of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Akeem Lasisi of Trade Union Congress (TUC), commended the initiative, describing it as the first of its kind in the country and a model for other states.

Similarly, Waheed Oloyede, chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, lauded the programme as a major step towards improving retirees’ welfare, while calling for transparency in its implementation.

Representatives of Pension Fund Administrators and National Pension Commission also described the scheme as a bold and innovative reform that strengthened retirement security.

At the event, cheques ranging from N17 million to N22 million were presented to 111 beneficiaries in the first phase of disbursement. the computation was based on agreed rates applied on Total Annual Emolument (TAE)

The APB initiative followed concerns raised by stakeholders after the full implementation of the CPS in Ogun State on July 2, 2025. It was subsequently adopted after extensive consultation involving organised labour, pension administrators, and government officials.

Stakeholders described the initiative as a sustainable mechanism to bridge gaps between CPS and the former Defined Benefit Scheme, particularly in addressing gratuity-related concerns.

Under the framework, APB is structured as a one-off payment at retirement, while balances in retirees’ Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) are preserved to enhance their monthly pensions.

Ogun State Government also recorded significant interventions in the pension sector, including N26.35 billion paid to offset outstanding gratuity liabilities, N5.89 billion remitted as arrears of CPS deductions and accrued returns, N500 million paid as death benefits, and N3.19 billion in CPS remittances as of January 2026.

The government said the measures underscored its commitment to transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability of the pension system.

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He said that OGDEIP will further enhance Ease of Doing Business in the State, as continues to deliver fibre-optic cables and mechanics across all the 20 Local Government Areas.

Governor Abiodun speaking through a representative, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, the State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, at the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference held in the State this week, stated that as a matter of fact, the first phase of OGDEIP will establish a fibre optic network ring around the entire State that will ensure connectivity particularly for key educational institutions, Government agencies, and residents in unconnected and under-connected areas.

“The ring design will ensure minimal downtime due to the manner in which the network can be automatically re-routed where there is a break in connection.

“We have also extended this to marketing of our rich cultural heritage, especially the Adire Ogun. This fabric is now on the World map through the Adire Ogun Digital Market Place launched on Thursday, 12th November, 2020.

“We also launched the Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS) on Wednesday, 27th October, 2021. OLARMS deals with all issues related to land as a factor of production. It is a further demonstration of our Administration’s commitment to make the Ease of Doing Business even “easier” in Ogun State.

“Our Judiciary has also been a beneficiary of ICT. This is especially in the area of Case Management and Scheduling System in the Ogun State Judiciary, the first in the country. This improves the efficiencies and effectiveness of our Judiciary as an unbiased arbiter and last hope of everyman.

“In the education sector we have made technology the driver of our Ogun State Education Revitalization Agenda (OGSERA). The OGSERA platform is the digital platform through which we have totally automated the education sector. We have digitalised BECE registration, Transfer of learners, placement and relocation of learners, admission/screening process into our Flagship schools. We have Learner Identification Number (LIN) and digital attendance register in our schools. We are also the first state in Nigeria to introduce electronic Dossier (e-dossier) through which parents can access the report sheet of their wards from anywhere in the world.

“All these are some of our own efforts at creating smart, secure and sustainable economy at our own level”, he said.

The host governor said the State’s efforts in the development of ICT has not gone unnoticed as Ogun have been adjudged as the Best State in ICT Penetration and Adoption; and, best State in ICT Infrastructure Development by the National Council on Communication and Digital Economy.

With reference to theme for the Conference: “Smart, Secure and Sustainable Nation”, he said it could not have been more apt.

“This is in consideration of the fact that recent events have shown us that we have to look for new ways of doing things.

“And, in doing this, we will have to ensure that we device smart methods – approaches that are deep in intellect; and also provide improved solutions to the challenges facing humanity.

“Also, we must ensure that our new solutions do not solve only present challenges, but must also provide strong foundations for future developments. That is how we can have a secure and sustainable development.

“For us as a Government in Ogun State, we are proud host of this Conference.

“We appreciate the power of ICT in providing good governance. Since May, 2019, we remain committed to our vision “to give Ogun State focused and qualitative governance and to create the enabling environment for a public-private sector partnership, which is fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun”.

“Let me therefore use this opportunity to call on Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and other relevant stakeholders to come and partner with us. In fact, Public- Private-Partnership (PPP) is another Enabler for the successful implementation of the “Building our Future Together” Agenda. I assure you that you will find us ready, willing and worthy partners”, he said.

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The NCS International Conference dubbed S3N2022 commenced today at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta and will run till Thursday August 4, 2022 under the theme: ‘Smart, Secure and Sustainable Nation’.

The Governor said the conference theme couldn’t have come at a better time as recent events point to the need for critical review of governance and government process for better management of scarce resource.

Speaking through Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, the State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, the Governor said that his administration has been intentional with governance especially in developing initiatives Ogun State Digital Economy Infrastructure Project (OGDEIP), which no doubt leads a path to success to the burgeoning economy of the Gateway state and the country at large.

Governor Abiodun said Ogun has taken hold of the future to make digital access available to all the citizens and businesses and it is the most far-sighted action any government can take in the present time.

He said the benefits of the digital economy infrastructure to Ogun State are numerous, pointing out that at the climax of COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, the State was credited as the first to launch ‘DigiClass’ to facilitate e-learning for the students.

He said that the other projects such as Ogun Tech Hub, Ogun Job Portal and others geared towards great economic development; access to youths and to attract more investments to drive end results, among others.

The Governor expressed delight with NCS’ executives for choosing Ogun State as the host State of the largest gathering of IT professionals in the country.

Nodding in agreement, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, and chairman of NCS International Conference 2022, said the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives and its application in all sectors of the state economy, cannot be overemphasized.

he said that these form the nucleus of the Ministry’s Digital Economy agenda and policy directions.

Pantami, also the chair for WSIS 2022, has this to say about the NCS conference theme:

“The theme for this year’s conference is very apt; three topics merged to one: ‘Smart nation, Secured nation and Sustainable nation’. This theme is dear to my heart because it is part of the area I have been working on, particularly, in the academic: ‘Datafication of Society to Foster an Internet Economy’ and ‘Cybersecurity Initiatives for Securing a Country’ and the President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) is among the reviewers. To cap it all, we must keep emphasizing on skills rather than paper degrees (certificates); this is about a sustainable nation. Without skills we cannot sustain our nation.

“Before you convince people to embrace smart nation initiatives, you need to convince them of the concept with emphasis on the benefits.

“Smart nation is basically about the deployment of digital technology to support and enable operational efficiencies. It saves time, energy and brings peace of mind as well as excitement. As it is in Nigeria today, we do not really have fully developed smart States, but some are work-in-progress. There are four States that are picking up like Ogun State where we are today. However, we have some smart estates which are signs that we are developing Internet of Things (IoT) devices installed in these estates”.

The Minister tasked IT professionals not to rest on their oars as global economic outlooks point to a need for a smart, secure and sustainable nation and even development.

Engineer Aliyu Aziz, the Director General/CEO, National Identity Management Agency (NIMC), delivering the keynote address (virtually) at S3N2022, reiterated that different economies now depend on smart technologies for survival hence emphasis on Smart Agriculture, e-learning, Internet of Things and security, respectively.

He said, “As to we all are aware, one of the most significant drivers of innovation and competitiveness is information and communication technology. ICT plays a key role in assisting both developed and developing countries. In moving towards sustainable growth, then emphasis on smart nation which implies people and businesses are empowered to increase access to data, more participatory through the contribution of innovative ideas or solutions.

“Today, one half of the world’s population lives in cities. It is estimated that by 2050 seven out of 10 people are likely to live in urban areas”.

The keynote speaker, therefore, called for increased use of smart technologies to tackle perennial issues faced by the citizens.

He highlighted that for this to become possible, the Commission through the support of stakeholders have fully registered 87 million Nigerians to the NIMC database.

This, he said, will help the government with insights for decision-making to tackle challenges associated with public transportation or basic services, housing, air pollution disaster management and importantly, deployment of high quality infrastructure.

Earlier in his welcome address, Professor Adesina Sodiya, President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), said the whole world is currently introducing and implementing smart technologies for sustainable national development.

In his words: “This year’s theme was strategically chosen to discuss the opportunities and challenges in the smooth implementation of smart and intelligent systems in Nigeria. There is a need to harness the opportunities in the evolution of smart technologies for rapid transformation of a nation’s economies.

“The current security challenges in Nigeria have become the major concern of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). At this conference, we shall be having a strategic discussion on full adoption of smart systems in government, production, agriculture, business, science, economy, engineering, management, and national security.

This S3N2022 conference presents three engaging plenary sessions with specific topics relating to the theme.

Members of the Nigeria Computer Society are expected to develop a roadmap for speedy implementation and adoption of smart, secure and sustainable national development.

On his part, Mr. Ayodeji Rex Abitogun, Chairman, Conferences Committee, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), reiterated that building a sustainable nation requires state actors and stakeholders within the IT ecosystem to deviate from old ways of doing things and embrace new practices with new mindsets.

“To achieve the new mindsets, the Conference Committee, with the guidance from the National Executive Council (NEC) under the leadership of Pro. Adesina Sodiya, has put together S3N2022 as a platform for thought leaders, policymakers, professionals, and the academics to discuss and propose practical and effective solutions to these challenges”, Abitogun said.

With about sixty presentations, three plenaries and nine parallel sessions, the S3N2022 promises to be valuable and impactful. 

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As a Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Pantami led the team to Ogun State Government House to officially notify the Governor about the upcoming NCS Conference scheduled to hold in the state, starting today August 2 to Thursday August 4, 2022.

Minister Pantami while making his remarks lauded the various digital economy initiatives of Ogun State that led to the State having the first Fibre Optic Factory in Nigeria.

Prof Pantami stated that wise investment in ICT brings about economic prosperity.

In his remarks, Gov Abiodun hailed Minister Pantami as the right Man to lead the Digital Economy Sector in Nigeria. “We are very proud of you”, the Governor said.

The NCS conference has as the theme ‘Smart, Secure and Sustainable Nation coined as S3N2022

According to the Professor Adesina Sodiya, President of NCS, the theme was carefully chosen to provide needed technological support for government drives and vision in this modern society.

In his words: “The emergence of connected cities and data-driven nations is making planning and decision-making easier at the global level. Different studies have ranked African low in adopting technology to build safe, secure, Sustainable economy (S3N2022).

“At the heart of the technology driving innovation is data and citizens engagement. In transforming our nation to meet future demand, we must use technology to create a more sustainable and livable present and secure future for our citizens.

S3N2022 holds at June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta

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