National Pension Commission (PenCom) has reclaimed N4.57 billion from employers who failed to remit pension contributions between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025, according to Oguche Agudah, CEO of the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp).
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday, Agudah revealed that the recovered sum includes N2.12 billion in unpaid pension contributions and N2.45 billion in penalties from 138 non-compliant employers.
“This demonstrates that enforcement remains a critical tool in protecting workers’ retirement savings,” Agudah stated.
He outlined a shift toward proactive measures, saying, “The focus is moving from periodic interventions to sustained prevention through enhanced real-time monitoring, stricter penalties for repeat offenders, and increased employer awareness to curb violations.”
Agudah emphasized the ultimate aim: “We want fewer defaults, quicker remittances, and a more reliable Contributory Pension Scheme.”
Agudah also urged workers to be vigilant, noting, “Employers with three or more staff are legally obligated to remit pensions. Employees can use whistleblowing channels to report non-compliance.”
Breaking down the figures, Agudah highlighted that Q1 2024 saw the highest recovery, with N751.51 million in contributions and N1.44 billion in penalties. While recoveries slowed mid-2024, they surged again in Q1 2025, with N972.12 million in contributions and N381.88 million in penalties recovered from 19 employers.
“The Q1 2025 recovery averaged N71 million per employer, up from N63 million in Q1 2024, showing a focus on high-impact cases,” he added.
The data reflects a decline in the number of defaulting employers, signaling PenCom’s enforcement is targeting significant violations while fostering compliance. (NAN)
