FIC Report (Bayelsa State) – The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has described Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, as the most worker-friendly governor in Nigeria, citing his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and pension reforms.
PenCom gave the commendation on Thursday during a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa, by a delegation led by the commission’s Finance Commissioner, Dr Charles Emukowhate, who represented the Director-General, Ms Omolola Oloworaran.
Emukowhate said the Diri administration had demonstrated strong commitment to pension reform through the amendment of the state’s pension law in 2022, establishment of pension institutions, appointment of a substantive head of the Pensions Board and procurement of Employer Codes for 108 Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He said the reforms had positioned Bayelsa to become one of Nigeria’s leading states in the implementation of the Contributory Pensions Scheme.
“This is easily the most worker-friendly and worker-centric governor in Nigeria,” Emukowhate said.
He urged the state to commence employee registration with Pension Fund Administrators and begin remittance of employer and employee contributions, while also determining accrued pension liabilities and putting in place adequate funding arrangements.
Responding, Governor Diri said workers’ and pensioners’ welfare remained a priority of his administration.
He recalled that his government inherited huge pension and gratuity arrears in 2020, with some retirees owed gratuities dating back to 2007.
According to him, the state government has since paid over N20 billion in outstanding gratuities to retired workers and also supported local governments to clear their pension and gratuity liabilities.
Diri said the state had commenced the process of transitioning to the Contributory Pensions Scheme, including the review of actuarial reports, determination of accrued liabilities and preparation for employee registration.
“We want to ensure that anybody who is retiring will have that security and safety. What is due to you will be given to you,” the governor said.
He assured PenCom of the state government’s readiness to work with organised labour and other stakeholders to ensure a transparent and successful implementation of the scheme.
Diri said the successful transition to the Contributory Pensions Scheme would further secure the future of Bayelsa workers and pensioners.
Ayayeibo Duncan Zuobom.
Assistant Chief Information Officer.
FIC Yenagoa , Bayelsa
20 August 2026
