PenCom unveils National Pension Week, to kick off PenCare, minimum pension guarantee

Nike Popoola

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has announced the inaugural National Pension Week 2026, scheduled to hold from October 26 to 30, as part of efforts to strengthen pension awareness, promote inclusion and deepen conversations around retirement security in Nigeria.

The Director-General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, disclosed this at the commission’s annual media conference in Lagos on Tuesday.

During the conference, she also unveiled the maiden edition of Pension Chronicles, a record of the reforms and decisions shaping Nigeria’s pension journey.

Oloworaran said the National Pension Week was conceived as a new national platform designed to engage Nigerians at different stages of life and across various sectors of the economy on the importance of pension planning and retirement security.

She said the commission intends to make the event an annual programme that would also support its broader advocacy efforts.

According to her, the five-day programme would feature activities targeted at youths, entrepreneurs, senior citizens, pension professionals, regulators, employers, stakeholders and the media.

She said the first day, October 26, would be Youth Engagement Day, during which Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and accredited pension agents would engage young Nigerians on the importance of starting retirement planning early.

Oloworaran noted that many young people did not yet appreciate the need to plan for retirement, stressing that the dream of having a great retirement should begin from the present.

She added that the day would also feature pension literacy essay competitions, with cash prizes and other rewards for winners.

According to her, the essay competition portal was opened on October 1 for secondary school students, tertiary institution students and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The DG said October 27 would be dedicated to the National SME Fair, focusing on entrepreneurs, business owners and self-employed Nigerians.

She said the initiative reflected PenCom’s commitment to expanding pension coverage to all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

October 28 would be observed as Senior Citizens’ Day, which Oloworaran described as particularly important to her because of her passion for retirees.

She said the day would provide an opportunity to engage senior citizens on retirement benefits, explain issues relating to their entitlements and provide information on initiatives such as PenCare and the minimum pension.

Oloworaran expressed hope that Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) would be ready for the commencement of minimum pension payments during the week.

She said the fourth day, October 29, would feature the National Pension Summit, bringing together regulators, pension professionals, employers and other stakeholders to discuss policy innovation, service delivery, leadership, accountability and ways of improving pension inclusion.

The DG expressed hope that President Bola Tinubu would attend the summit to launch PenCare and the minimum pension guarantee.

She recalled that the President had directed the implementation of health insurance for low-income retirees and said the initiative was now close to becoming operational.

Oloworaran also highlighted the history of the minimum pension guarantee, noting that the initiative was provided for in the Pension Reform Act 2014 but had not been implemented until now.

She said the commission had worked with partners and stakeholders to bring the initiative to fruition.

The fifth day, October 30, would be dedicated to Press Day, providing an opportunity for journalists to reflect on the conversations and engagements held throughout the week and seek further clarification from PenCom on issues relating to the pension system.

Oloworaran added that the National Pension Week would have a strong digital component, allowing Nigerians unable to attend physically to participate through livestreamed sessions, digital activities and regular programme updates.
She said the initiative was aimed at making pensions part of the national conversation.

“We want Nigerians to better understand the pension system, appreciate the importance of any planning, and recognise the opportunities available to secure their financial future,” she said.

Oloworaran formally announced October 26 to 30, 2026, as the dates for the inaugural National Pension Week and said the event would be held annually.
She also officially launched the National Pension Week website, saying the platform would support the successful delivery of the activities and events planned for the programme and provide opportunities for Nigerians to engage with the commission ahead of the event.