National Pension Commission (PenCom)

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) is the regulator for Pension in Nigeria.

Prior to the enactment of the Pension Reform Act 2004, pension schemes in Nigeria had been bedevilled by many problems. The Public Service operated an unfunded Defined Benefits Scheme and the payment of retirement benefits were budgeted annually. The annual budgetary allocation for pension was often one of the most vulnerable items in budget implementation in the light of resource constraints. In many cases, even where budgetary provisions were made, inadequate and untimely release of funds resulted in delays and accumulation of arrears of payment of pension rights. It was obvious therefore that the Defined Benefits Scheme could not be sustained.

In the private sector on the other hand, many employees were not covered by the pension schemes put in place by their employers and many of these schemes were not funded. Besides, where the schemes were funded, the management of the pension funds was full of malpractices between the fund managers and the Trustees of the pension funds.

This scenario necessitated a re-think of pension administration in Nigeria by the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. Accordingly, the administration initiated a pension reform in order to address and eliminate the problems associated with pension schemes in the country. The outcome of the reform was the enactment into law of the Pension Reform Act 2004.

The Pension Reform Act empowers PenCom to regulate pension in Nigeria.

No amount can be withdrawn from Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) with Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) without prior approval from PenCom.

PenCom Mission

PenCom exists for the effective regulation and supervision of the Nigerian Pension Industry to ensure that retirement benefits are paid as and when due.

PenCom Vision

Power of the National Pension Commission (PenCom)

• Formulate, direct and oversee the overall policy on pension matters in Nigeria.
• Fix the terms and conditions of service including remuneration of the employees of the Commission.
• Request or call for information from any employer or pension fund administrator or custodian or any other person or institution on matters relating to retirement benefit.
• Charge and collect such fees, levy or penalties, as may be specified by the Commission.
• Establish and acquire offices and other premises for the use of the Commission in such locations as it may deem necessary for the proper performance of its functions under the Act.
• Establish standards, rules and regulations for the management of the pension funds under the Act.
• Investigate any pension fund administrator, custodian or other party involved in the management of pension funds.
• Impose administrative sanctions or fines on erring employers or pension fund administrators or custodians.
• Order the transfer of management or custody of all pension funds or assets being managed by a pension fund administrator or held by a custodian whose licence has been revoked under this Act or subject to insolvency proceedings to another pension fund administrator or custodian, as the case may be.
• Do such other things which in its opinion are necessary to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of the Commission under the Act.

Functions of the National Pension Commission (PenCom)

• Regulation and supervision of the Scheme established under the Act.
• Issuance of guidelines for the investment of pension funds.
• Approving, licensing, regulating and supervising pension fund administrators, custodians and other institutions relating to pension matters as the Commission may, from time to time, determine.
• Establishing standards, rules and guidelines for the management of the pension funds under the Act.
• Ensuring the maintenance of a National Data Bank on all pension matters.
• Carrying out public awareness and education on the establishment and management of the Scheme.
• Promoting capacity building and institutional strengthening of pension fund administrators and custodians.
• Receiving and investigating complaints of impropriety levelled against any pension fund administrator, custodian or employer or any of their staff or agents.
• Performing such other duties which, in the opinion of the Commission, are necessary or expedient for the discharge of its functions under the Act.

PenCom Address

Head Office

174 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, Nigeria
Email: info@pencom.gov.ng
Phone: 0700-CALLPENCOM (0700-225 -573-6266) +234 9460 3930

Zonal Offices

North-Central Zonal Office
Plot 1, Aderemi Adeleye Street,
Off Fate Road, GRA
Ilorin, Kwara State
Tel: (+234) 805 599 9341

North-East Zonal Office
Plot No. 10,
Gombe-Biu Road,
Gombe, Gombe state
Tel: (+234) 805 599 9339

North-West Zonal Office
No. 22, Kazaure Road,
Bompai, Kano,
Kano State
Tel: (+234) 805 599 9335

South West Zonal Office
88A Oduduwa Crescent,
Ikeja, GRA
Lagos State
Tel: (+234) 805 599 8808

South-East Zonal Office
Road 1/47 , Udoka Housing Estate
Awka, Anambra State
Tel: (+234) 805 599 9337

South-South Zonal Office
Plot 9, PCN Layout,
Diamond Hill Calabar,
Cross River State
Tel: (+234) 805 599 9332