The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has described Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, as the most worker-friendly governor in Nigeria, commending his administration for its commitment to workers’ welfare and retirement security.
PenCom gave the commendation on Thursday when a delegation led by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Finance, Dr Charles Emukowhate, who represented the commission’s Director-General, Ms Omolola Oloworaran, paid a courtesy visit to the Bayelsa State Government at Government House, Yenagoa.
The commission highlighted several measures taken by the Diri administration to strengthen pension administration in the state, including the amendment of the state’s Pension Law in December 2022 to align it with the National Pension Reform Act.
It also cited the establishment of state pension institutions, the appointment of a substantive head of the Pensions Board in February 2026 and the procurement of Employer Codes for 108 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as evidence of the government’s commitment to pension reforms.
Emukowhate said the reforms had positioned Bayelsa to become one of the leading states in the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme.
“Not many governors are dedicated to these reforms. These achievements are noteworthy, and we believe Bayelsa State is well positioned to take this important step and emerge as one of the leading states in pension reform implementation in Nigeria,” he said.
He added: “This is easily the most worker-friendly and worker-centric governor in Nigeria.”
According to him, the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between PenCom and the Bayelsa State Government as the state transitions to the Contributory Pension Scheme.
He described pension reform as more than a financial policy, noting that it was also a social protection mechanism designed to guarantee workers dignity, financial security and peace of mind after years of service.
The commission urged the state government to commence the immediate registration of workers with Pension Fund Administrators and ensure the remittance of both employer and employee contributions.
It also recommended the engagement of qualified actuaries to determine accrued pension rights, appropriate funding arrangements and the introduction of a group life insurance policy to protect the families of workers who die in active service.
PenCom further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to pensioners’ welfare and the settlement of outstanding pension liabilities at the federal level.
Responding, Governor Diri said the welfare of workers and pensioners remained a major priority of his administration, recalling that his government inherited a huge backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities when it assumed office in 2020.
He disclosed that some senior citizens were owed gratuities dating back to 2007, adding that his administration had so far paid more than N20 billion in outstanding gratuities to state retirees.
Diri also said the local government system inherited significant pension and gratuity liabilities, but his administration intervened by providing financial support to the councils and implementing reforms that enabled them to clear their outstanding obligations.
The governor said his administration was determined to institutionalise a pension system that would guarantee workers security and dignity after retirement.
“For us, it is something that we must continue to do and even create a better environment before we leave. We want to ensure that anybody who is retiring will have that security and safety that you do not need to go and influence anybody in the office. What is due to you will be given to you,” Diri said.
He disclosed that Bayelsa had commenced the process of transitioning to the Contributory Pension Scheme, including the determination of accrued liabilities and review of actuarial reports.
According to him, the state has amended its pension law, engaged consultants and reached the stage of employee registration, while modalities for settling existing pensioners and commencing the scheme are being worked out.
Diri assured PenCom of the state’s readiness to collaborate with the commission, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and other stakeholders to ensure a transparent and successful implementation of the scheme.
He said the process was being handled openly and inclusively to ensure that all stakeholders were carried along.
The governor expressed optimism that successful implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme would be one of the major achievements of his administration, particularly in securing the future of workers and pensioners in Bayelsa State.
