President says his government has ended a 22-year delay in implementing the Minimum Pension Guarantee Scheme, as it launches PensionCare to provide free essential healthcare for low-income retirees.

President Bola Tinubu has challenged Nigerians to assess his administration based on its achievements and performance rather than political promises, insisting that his government should be judged by its record in office.

Tinubu made the call on Tuesday during the official launch of the Minimum Pension Guarantee Scheme at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Represented at the event by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the President declared that his administration had brought an end to a 22-year delay in implementing the pension scheme, describing the development as a significant step towards strengthening social protection for Nigerian workers.

According to him, the initiative represents a shift from political promises to practical measures aimed at protecting workers who have spent years contributing to national development.

The Minimum Pension Guarantee Scheme is designed to ensure that retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) receive a guaranteed minimum level of income after leaving active service, helping to prevent pensioners from falling into financial hardship.

Tinubu maintained that workers who dedicated decades of their lives to serving the country deserved more than appreciation after retirement. He said they should be able to enjoy financial stability and access to essential healthcare.

The President also unveiled PensionCare, a pension industry-funded healthcare initiative aimed at providing low-income retirees with free access to essential medical services.

The programme is expected to address one of the major challenges facing many elderly Nigerians, who often struggle to afford medical treatment after retirement, particularly as healthcare expenses increase with age.

Tinubu described the two initiatives as important milestones in the country's social protection system, stressing that his administration was committed to improving the welfare and dignity of retirees.

He subsequently challenged Nigerians to evaluate his government based on its achievements, while also urging political opponents to account for their records when they held positions of authority.

“Please judge me by my record in this election,” the President declared.

He questioned what his political opponents had done in the past to guarantee minimum pension benefits, provide healthcare protection for retirees and improve the welfare of Nigerian workers.

The President's remarks come as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with economic reforms, workers' welfare and the rising cost of living expected to remain major issues in the political debate.

With the launch of the Minimum Pension Guarantee Scheme and PensionCare, the Federal Government is seeking to demonstrate its commitment to improving retirement security and ensuring that Nigerians who have served the country are not abandoned when they leave active employment.

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