The Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) has stepped up efforts to deepen pension literacy among public servants, taking its awareness campaign directly to workers across the Alausa Secretariat in Ikeja.
The day-long programme focused on educating officers on their rights, responsibilities and terminal benefits under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). In a symbolic move, LASPEC officials, alongside Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and annuity providers, embarked on a walk from the Office of the Head of Service to the Budget Office, signalling a shift from desk-based engagement to direct outreach.
Teams were subsequently deployed to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to engage workers, address concerns and clarify long-standing misconceptions about pension administration. The campaign also extended beyond the secretariat, with sound vehicles moving through parts of Ikeja to raise broader public awareness.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Bode Agoro, Head of Service said the initiative reflected the Lagos State Government’s commitment to transparency, trust and early pension education.
“Pension education should not begin at retirement. It must start early in service. Pensions represent security and dignity after years of work, and misconceptions must be addressed through accurate information,” Agoro said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu administration to safeguarding the welfare of serving and retired public servants in line with global best practices and the THEMES+ Agenda.
The Executive Director of LASPEC, who led the exercise, said the outreach was driven by persistent gaps in pension knowledge among public servants.
“Many officers are unaware of their rights under the CPS, and some do not even verify whether their monthly deductions are properly remitted to their Retirement Savings Accounts. This exposes them to challenges at retirement,” he said.
He noted that pension deductions should be viewed as long-term investments and urged officers, including those newly recruited, to monitor their contributions regularly.
While LASPEC had previously focused on pre-retirement workshops for officers nearing retirement, he said the Commission was expanding its scope to reach public servants at all career stages to reduce anxiety and prevent retirement delays.
According to him, the response from workers was positive, with strong participation and immediate engagement.
“Officers appreciated the direct interaction. With PFAs and annuity providers present, many long-standing questions were resolved on the spot,” he said.
He assured that the campaign would be sustained as part of LASPEC’s broader strategy to strengthen pension administration and protect the welfare of Lagos State public servants.
