NIPSS DELEGATES VISIT JIGAWA PENSION BOARD
Delegates from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has paid a working visit to the Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board.
The visit was part of their tour of northwest states to assess achievements, evaluate policies, and examine intended outcomes at the grassroots level. Their areas of interest included policies, strategic plans enacted by governments for the development of local government areas, and the scheme’s performance scorecard. The team had also examined proper financial auditing and other issues relating to compliance with government policies.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary, Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board, Dr. Binyaminu Shittu Aminu, appreciated the delegates for their visit, particularly their commitment to engaging with the staff of the scheme.
He stated that the Jigawa State Contributory Pensions Scheme was initiated in 2003, operating alongside the public service pensions system paid directly from government revenues. He explained that under this arrangement, civil servants in the state contribute 8 percent of their monthly basic salary, rent and transport allowances while the State Government contributes 17 percent.
Furthermore, he expressed profound gratitude to the “friendly workers Governor” of Jigawa State, His Excellency, Malam Umar A Namadi, whose transformational leadership across all sectors of the state continues to inspire and empower state civil servants to achieve more.
The Executive Secretary stated that the scheme is combined with state and local governments, adding that it is a pioneer in the country and started with a solid foundation. Dr. Binyaminu Shittu Aminu explained that pension and gratuity are paid as and when due, and Jigawa has no backlog of pension or gratuity, with the state being up to date in the payment of pension and gratuity.
He informed the team that Governor Malam Umar A Namadi has also injected over N15 billion into the scheme from May 2023 to date, stating that the reason for the scheme’s success is the continuous political support from Governor Malam Umar A Namadi.
After responding to the various questions posed by the NIPSS delegates and highlighting the scheme’s achievements, the Executive Secretary reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to delivering retirees’ entitlements as and when due and maintaining cordial relationships with pensioners in the State.
The leader of the NIPSS delegation, Farouk Umar, expressed enthusiasm over the scheme’s performance. He stated that the team was at the pension house as part of their visitation to northwest states to assess development in local governments in Nigeria, adding that this is to track development from a “bottom perspective” through an “on-the-spot assessment.” He explained that through this assessment, the Federal Government intends to reward the organizations performing the best.
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