The National Pension Commission (PenCom) says it has commenced the online verification and enrolment exercise for prospective retirees in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government.

The commission said the exercise is for those who are due to retire in 2025.

Omolola Oloworaran, acting director-general (DG), PenCom, spoke at a workshop on the online enrolment application for pension desk officers (PDOs) of treasury-funded ministries, departments and agencies (MDA) of the federal government, on Monday in Abuja.

Oloworaran said the commission is working effortlessly to ensure that challenges such as application downtimes are resolved.

She also said a new and more efficient enrolment application that will provide a user-friendly and seamless experience for users has been developed.

“At the National Pension Commission (PenCom), we hold firmly to our statutory responsibility of ensuring a seamless pre-retirement verification and enrolment process for employees of federal government treasury-funded MDAs,” Oloworaran said.

“Each year, we embark on this exercise to gather accurate data for determining the Accrued Pension Rights of prospective retirees, so that the federal government can make the necessary budgetary provisions.

“Today’s session is not just a routine gathering; it is part of PenCom’s commitment to building the capacity of stakeholders, specifically you, the Pension Desk Officers, whose roles are indispensable in this process.

“This workshop aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively use the application and address any challenges that arise during the enrolment process.

“We are also here to confront the issues of the past head-on.”

‘THERE WERE GAPS IN PREVIOUS ENROLMENT’

She further said in previous enrolment exercises, gaps and challenges were observed.

The PenCom DG added that the workshop will provide practical solutions and clarity on the modalities for the upcoming 2025 enrollment.

“We understand that some challenges, like application downtimes, have occasionally hindered the process, particularly during last-minute rushes,” she said.

“I am pleased to inform you that we are actively working on developing a new, more efficient enrolment application that will provide a user-friendly and seamless experience for all stakeholders.”

Oloworaran also reassured that the commission is committed to continuously improving service delivery across the pension industry.

The PenCom boss said despite some setbacks, including delays in the release of funds for retirees’ accrued rights, she’s confident that these issues will soon be resolved.

“Today is not just about resolving technical issues; it is also about reaffirming our shared responsibility to Nigeria’s retirees, who deserve timely and seamless access to their benefits,” she added.

Oloworaran also said significant progress has been made by all critical stakeholders to clear the outstanding pension liabilities and put in place long-term solutions that will prevent future delays in funding.

Access Holdings Plc says Access Bank, its flagship subsidiary, has secured a provisional licence from the Bank of Namibia to establish a commercial bank in the country.

Speaking in a statement on Monday, Sunday Ekwochi, the company’s secretary, said Access Bank’s operations in Namibia are expected to stimulate the local economy and strengthen its position as a leading regional player.

Commenting on the development, Roosevelt Ogbonna, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Access Bank, described the move as a milestone in the bank’s efforts to promote intra-African trade.

“This expansion represents an important milestone towards establishing a railroad in Namibia for intra-African trade within the Southern African region, Africa, and the rest of the world,” Ogbonna said.

“It cements our commitment to building a robust Southern African banking network to deliver shared prosperity and advance financial inclusion thereby empowering many to achieve their dreams.”

Ogbonna said Access Bank’s entry into the Namibian market aligns with the institution’s broader goal of building a strong global franchise, opening new opportunities for businesses and individuals alike.

The CEO expressed the company’s eagerness to collaborate with local stakeholders to drive innovation, empower communities, and make a significant contribution to the region’s prosperity.

“We remain confident that our investments towards diversifying and strengthening the Bank’s long-term earnings profile will deliver significant value to our shareholders, customers, and wider stakeholder groups,” he added.

The bank also said in the coming months, it would work to fulfill the conditions required for the final licence approval and will keep the market informed.

Access Bank said with existing operations in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia, it is positioned to offer stakeholders seamless access to diverse opportunities for expansion and collaboration across the region.

The federal government has launched a portal that would allow youths access to compressed natural gas (CNG) powered tricycles.

Ayodele Olawande, minister of state for youth development, spoke in Abuja on Monday.

The activation of the portal follows the successful launch of 2,000 CNG tricycles by the federal government on October 1.

Olawande said youths across the country could access the portal and sign up to be merged with aggregators or owners who work directly under the presidential CNG initiative (P-CNGi), while beginning the process of becoming owners themselves.

He said the aim is to enthrone a transparent process of enlisting young people into the presidential CNG initiative.

“By embracing CNG, we are building a cleaner environment for our nation,” Olawande said.

“We are also saving the nation in terms of the cost that is typically spent on subsidy for petrol and bankrupting the country for so long now.”

He called on the youths operating in the commercial transportation sector or those interested in joining the sector to enlist to benefit from the initiative.

To access the portal, the minister said there are two websites namely — www.youthcng.ng and www.bci.gov.ng/tricycles — with instructions and procedures on getting enlisted.

‘NYIF TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS’

Olawande said the national youth investment fund (NYIF), with an initial capital of N110 billion, was designed to provide financial support to youth entrepreneurs and start-ups.

“Others are the student loans to give every willing Nigerian youth the chance to access quality education without financial worries,” he said.

“The Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) was set up as a platform to teach the relevant skills that would propel the active participation of youth in the business sector and the job market.”

On his part, Muhammad Hassan, the national president of the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association, said the association is committed to not just mobilising members but also achieving the mandate of the project.

“We will also ensure that members not only use the tricycles properly but that they pay back as soon as possible,’’ Hassan said.

In his remarks, Michael Oluwagbemi, project director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the P-CNGi said the initiative would enhance the economic well-being of Nigerians by reducing dependence on petrol.

Oluwagbemi, who was represented by Tosin Coker, head of commercial at P-CNGi, said the CNG initiative would reduce the cost of transportation for Nigerians.

The project director also said the project will enable youths to have the opportunity to be gainfully employed.