The House of Representatives has resolved to summon Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, over alleged breaches of pension agreements and unpaid retirement benefits owed to former employees of the apex bank.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hussaini Jallo, representing Igabi Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, during plenary on Tuesday.
The motion raised concerns over the alleged failure of the CBN to implement its pension harmonization policy, resulting in disparities in payments and accumulated arrears.
Jallo also alleged that some retirees had been excluded from general pension increases despite existing agreements and approved pension policies.
He said the number of CBN pensioners had dropped from 5,104 in 2011 to about 3,000, warning that delayed payments could expose elderly retirees to poverty, poor health, and other hardships.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the CBN and relevant authorities to verify and pay outstanding pension arrears to eligible retirees within a specified period.
Lawmakers also resolved to invite Cardoso, relevant CBN officials, pension administrators, regulators, and representatives of affected retirees to explain the alleged violations.
The House Committee on Pension was mandated to investigate the matter, examine relevant agreements and payment records, determine the outstanding arrears, and establish responsibility for the alleged administrative failures.
The committee is also expected to recommend measures to ensure eligible pensioners benefit from applicable general pension increases.
