The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has initiated a nationwide effort to recover over ₦1.3 billion in outstanding pension contributions owed to journalists by newspaper organisations across Nigeria.
The Director-General of PenCom, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, made this known during a strategic visit to the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) in Abuja. She expressed deep concern over the widespread failure of media companies to comply with the Pension Reform Act 2014 (PRA 2014), which mandates timely remittance of pension contributions into employees’ Retirement Savings Accounts.
“Journalists Deserve to Retire with Dignity”
Oloworaran stressed the need for the media industry to lead by example in ensuring employee welfare, particularly in retirement planning.
“The media must lead by example. Journalists deserve to retire with dignity,” she said, describing pension obligations as both a legal requirement and a moral responsibility. She reminded employers that the PRA 2014 requires pension deductions to be remitted no later than seven days after salaries are paid.
Despite these provisions, she noted that many media organisations continue to default, prompting PenCom to deploy Recovery Agents. These agents are tasked with auditing defaulting institutions, identifying unpaid liabilities, and enforcing penalties where applicable.
Joint Task Force to Boost Compliance
In a bid to drive sector-wide compliance, PenCom has partnered with the Nigerian Press Council to establish a joint enforcement task force. This collaborative move marks a significant shift, being the first focused initiative to address pension default specifically within journalism institutions.
Dr. Dili Ezughah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, welcomed the initiative and pledged full institutional support. He assured that the Council would engage key stakeholders—including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE)—to mobilize action against pension violations in the industry.
“This is not just about policy; it’s about the welfare and future of journalists in this country,” Ezughah stated. “Many journalists face uncertainty in retirement because their employers have failed to meet basic pension obligations. That must change.”
Securing the Future of Journalists
The joint campaign underscores a renewed focus on financial security and retirement dignity for Nigerian journalists. PenCom’s action is expected to set a precedent for greater accountability and compliance across sectors where pension remittance violations have been persistent.
With enforcement now underway, media organisations will be under pressure to settle outstanding liabilities or face regulatory consequences, including fines and public scrutiny.
