2027: Judge Me by Performance, Not Promises, Tinubu Tells Nigerians

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged Nigerians to assess his administration based on its achievements and performance rather than political promises, declaring that his record should determine his chances in the 2027 presidential election.

Tinubu made the assertion on Tuesday during the official launch of the Minimum Pension Guarantee Scheme at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He was represented at the event by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The President said his administration had ended a 22-year delay in implementing the pension guarantee, which is designed to protect contributors under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) from falling below a minimum income level after retirement.

He described the scheme, alongside the newly introduced PensionCare healthcare initiative, as significant milestones in strengthening Nigeria’s social protection system and improving the welfare of retired workers.

According to Tinubu, the Minimum Pension Guarantee Scheme, which takes immediate effect, would be administered by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) in accordance with the Pension Reform Act.

He noted that although the minimum pension guarantee was provided for under the 2004 Pension Reform Act and reinforced by the 2014 legislation, successive administrations had failed to implement it for more than two decades.

“Please judge me by my record in this election,” the President said, challenging opposition politicians to present their achievements in pension protection and workers’ welfare during their respective periods in government.

Tinubu maintained that the new scheme would establish a guaranteed income floor for eligible retirees, describing it as a statutory entitlement rather than a government favour.

He also unveiled PensionCare, a pension industry-funded healthcare programme aimed at providing low-income retirees with access to essential medical services at no cost.

The President explained that the initiative was designed to reduce the financial burden of healthcare on elderly citizens, particularly those whose retirement savings are often depleted by medical expenses.

He disclosed that beneficiary cards would be distributed in the coming months, assuring pensioners that the programme would help address one of the major challenges confronting Nigerians in retirement.

Tinubu further revealed that the Federal Government had issued a N758 billion bond to settle outstanding pension obligations, alongside approving a N32,000 monthly consequential adjustment for federal pensioners whose earnings were below the national minimum wage.

He added that legacy pensioners under the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, who previously received as little as N18,000 monthly, now earn N206,000.

The President also highlighted pension enhancements under the Contributory Pension Scheme, describing them as unprecedented interventions in the country’s pension administration.

Reflecting on the experiences of retirees under previous arrangements, Tinubu condemned the practice of forcing elderly pensioners to undergo physical verification exercises under harsh weather conditions before accessing their benefits.

He said the situation was unacceptable, particularly for individuals who had devoted decades of their lives to national service.

The President linked the pension reforms to his administration’s broader economic policies, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange rates.

He argued that the reforms had strengthened government revenues and enabled increased investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and social welfare.

Citing a World Bank report published in October 2026, Tinubu said state revenues rose by approximately 93 per cent in real terms between 2023 and 2025, while the proportion of state budgets allocated to capital projects increased from 46 per cent to 61 per cent.

He commended state governors across political divides for utilising increased revenues to support development initiatives and improve citizens’ welfare.

The President also cited programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the National Credit Guarantee Company and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) as part of his administration’s efforts to expande access to education and affordable credit.

Tinubu warned against calls to restore petrol subsidy, arguing that reversing the policy could undermine the financial capacity of states and disrupt ongoing development programmes.

He also urged employers in the public and private sectors to remit workers’ pension contributions promptly, describing the withholding of such funds as a violation of employees’ future financial security.

The President encouraged young Nigerians to enrol in pension schemes early, stressing that consistent contributions during their working years would promote financial independence and dignity in retirement.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting workers and ensuring that Nigerians who dedicate decades to national service are not abandoned after retirement.