The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs on Thursday received a courtesy visit from the leadership of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), led by Director Saleem Muhammad, to seek collaboration on the expansion of the Micro Pension Scheme to Nigeria’s vast informal workforce.
In his address, Director Saleem emphasized the Commission’s resolve to extend pension benefits to artisans, traders, farmers, tailors, mechanics, and other informal sector workers—who form the majority of Nigeria’s workforce. According to Dr. Babatunde Alayande, Head of the Micro Pension Department, the informal sector accounts for over 78 million Nigerians, representing 93% of the country’s labor force as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 2024.
Dr. Aleyande lamented that since the launch of the Micro Pension Scheme on March 28, 2019, only 200,000 informal workers have registered nationwide, and merely 12,000 of them actively contribute toward their retirement savings. He stressed the urgent need to drive awareness and confidence among this underserved group by reaching them through local associations, trade unions, and community networks at the 774 local government areas (LGAs) across the 36 states and the FCT.
In his response, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, expressed the Ministry’s willingness to collaborate on this national assignment. He directed that a technical committee be immediately constituted to engage relevant stakeholders including ALGON, trade unions, and other grassroots associations. He emphasized the importance of sensitization and trust-building to assure participants that their savings are safe, secure, and accessible when needed.
The collaboration aims to bridge the pension gap between the formal and informal sectors and ensure financial dignity for all Nigerians in retirement.
Signed:
Mandal Francis Martin
For: Head, Information and Public Relations Unit
Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs
3rd July, 2025
