The retired staff of the National Assembly urged the Presiding Officers of the 10th National Assembly Service to inaugurate the National Assembly Service Pensions Board accordingly.
The Committee wanted the law to be implemented after which the amendment could come since the president gad already asserted to the bill before now .
The Committee should kindly broker a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly Service and the leadership of the retirees for us to provide a detailed template for the successful implementation of the National Assembly Service Pensions Board in the interest and satisfaction of all the stakeholders, especially to the glory of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly Service and the legislative Institution as a whole.
The position of the retired staff was echoed at the public hea e ing organized by the House of Representatives committee publc Service matters on the proposed amendments Bill seeking to amend the National Assembly Service Pension Boared(Establishment)Act,2023.
Reading position retire signed by members of the committee, the former Clerk to the National Assembly, Prince Yemi Ogunyomi Direct the National Assembly Service Pensions Board to submit a proposal for amendment within the shortest possible time of its inauguration.
We register our profound gratitude to the Rt Hon Speaker of the House of Representatives; Principal Officers; Honourable Members of the House of Representatives including the Chairman and Honourable Members of this important Committee for the window of opportunity granted the retired Staff of the National Assembly Service to express ourselves and *express our clear position on the proposed amendment Bill, as inimical to all retired Staff of the National Assembly Service*.
He said, the National Assembly Service Pensions Act,2023 was a child of its own environment because it came into being due to the indiscriminate un-remitted deductions by the Directorates of Finance and Account of the National Assembly Service from 2004-January, 2017;
It was designed in order to preserve the integrity of the National Assembly Service; and
By providing comprehensive retirement welfare packages for retired Staff of the National Assembly Service who assisted in legislating a better retirement package for retirees in the other Arms of Government.
*Promoters of the proposed amendments:*
The promoters of the proposed amendment Bill did not give sufficient attention to the rule of law; the inherent constitutional provisions; or dual or multiple appointments:
•The promoters want the National Assembly to revert to the Contributory Pension Commission (PENCOM) with over 10 years un-remitted deductions from Staff Salaries which is difficult to attain in the present circumstances without exposing the National Assembly to public ridicule
The promoters of the proposed amendment Bill also want the National Assembly Pension Board to operate under PENCOM, a situation which will generate confusion.
• The promoters of the amendment Bill want a separate template for gratuity as well as aTrust fund for the National Assembly retirees. This is no doubt an invitation to multiple confusion and anarchy.
-Pensions and Gratuities for retirees in the service are paid from the *Service wide votes of the Federation Account* and National Assembly retirees should not be an exemption.That is where pension boards in the other Arms of Government draw their funds.
The promoters of the amendments Bill erroneously stated that *”Significant challenges have arisen since enactment of the Act raising serious concerns regarding the sustainability of the National Assembly Pension Scheme”*
Payment of Gratuity is one time off exercise and not annually as being ignorantly propagated by the promoters.
As a matter of fact, the total amount of gratuity required for all National Assembly retirees is just about N12.7b only.
It is only after inauguration and takeoff that possible areas of amendments can be identified. At this point, it will not be out of place to state that *this demand by the promoters for amendments is inchoate*. Although, National Assembly Service Pensions Board is yet to be inaugurated, guidelines have been codified for its smooth operations.
The promoters equally lamented *Domination by the Retired Staff:*
Pensions is a matter that primarily involves and affects the retired staff. It is unheard of that other persons from somewhere else whose interests are not constitutionally covered in the National Assembly Service Pensions Act,2023 will become Board members to determine or promote the retirement welfare of retired Staff of the National Assembly Service. For example, the Military or Police Service Pensions Boards are made up of retired Military/Police Officers. Ditto for other separate Pension Boards in the MDAs whose Board members were drawn from the pool of retired staff in order to prevent another *”MAINA GATE”* in the National Assembly Service. Mr Chairman Sir, It is often said that he who wears the shoes, certainly knows where it pinches.
*JOINT MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY THE COUNCIL OF RETIRED CLERKS AND SECRETARIES AND THE ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED STAFF OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SERVICE ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS BILL SEEKING TO AMEND THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SERVICE PENSION BOARD (ESTABLISHMENT) ACT, 2023 AT THE PUBLIC HEARING ORGANIZED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE MATTERS ON FRIDAY,27TH JUNE,2025*
*Introduction:*
The National Assembly Service Pension Board (Establishment) Act, 2023 was a timely and compassionate response to the harsh realities faced by retired staff of the National Assembly Service. Many of our colleagues died in despair due to the inefficiencies and inadequacies of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) under the Pension Reform Act, 2014—a scheme that failed to recognize the peculiarities of the legislative service, as no retired Staff of the National Assembly Service received their retirement gratuity since 1999 till date.
The Principal Act not only acknowledged the unique nature of the National Assembly Service but also aligned with the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the *Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).* It further reinforced the autonomy of the legislative branch of government.
In a nutshell,the National Assembly Service Pensions Act,2023 was a child of its own environment because it came into being due to the indiscriminate un-remitted deductions by the Directorates of Finance and Account of the National Assembly Service from 2004-January, 2017;
It was designed in order to preserve the integrity of the National Assembly Service; and
By providing comprehensive retirement welfare packages for retired Staff of the National Assembly Service who assisted in legislating a better retirement package for retirees in the other Arms of Government.
*Promoters of the proposed amendments:*
The promoters of the proposed amendment Bill did not give sufficient attention to the rule of law; the inherent constitutional provisions; or dual or multiple appointments:
•The promoters want the National Assembly to revert to the Contributory Pension Commission (PENCOM) with over 10 years un-remitted deductions from Staff Salaries which is difficult to attain in the present circumstances without exposing the National Assembly to public ridicule.
• The promoters of the proposed amendment Bill also want the National Assembly Pension Board to operate under PENCOM, a situation which will generate confusion.
• The promoters of the amendment Bill want a separate template for gratuity as well as aTrust fund for the National Assembly retirees. This is no doubt an invitation to multiple confusion and anarchy.
-Pensions and Gratuities for retirees in the service are paid from the *Service wide votes of the Federation Account* and National Assembly retirees should not be an exemption.That is where pension boards in the other Arms of Government draw their funds.
The promoters of the amendments Bill erroneously stated that *”Significant challenges have arisen since enactment of the Act raising serious concerns regarding the sustainability of the National Assembly Pension Scheme”*
Payment of Gratuity is one time off exercise and not annually as being ignorantly propagated by the promoters.
As a matter of fact, the total amount of gratuity required for all National Assembly retirees is just about N12.7b only.
It is only after inauguration and takeoff that possible areas of amendments can be identified. At this point, it will not be out of place to state that *this demand by the promoters for amendments is inchoate*. Although, National Assembly Service Pensions Board is yet to be inaugurated, guidelines have been codified for its smooth operations.
The promoters equally lamented *Domination by the Retired Staff:*
Pensions is a matter that primarily involves and affects the retired staff. It is unheard of that other persons from somewhere else whose interests are not constitutionally covered in the National Assembly Service Pensions Act,2023 will become Board members to determine or promote the retirement welfare of retired Staff of the National Assembly Service. For example, the Military or Police Service Pensions Boards are made up of retired Military/Police Officers. Ditto for other separate Pension Boards in the MDAs whose Board members were drawn from the pool of retired staff in order to prevent another *”MAINA GATE”* in the National Assembly Service. Mr Chairman Sir, It is often said that he who wears the shoes, certainly knows where it pinches.
Mr Chairman and Honourable Members of this important Committee, *The promoters of the amendments would appear to have reasons other than being publicly disclosed for insisting on jettisoning the validly enacted legislation without subjecting it to implementation*.
If this proposed amendments is granted, it will create a third tier of Staff claims, namely those claiming under the Contributory Pension Act,2004; those under the National Assembly Service Pensions Act 2023; and those claiming under a subsequent Act and that will create multiple confusion; disharmony; and may degenerate to crisis with its attendant implications on the National Assembly and its reputation. As responsible Associations, our stand is that this must be prevented at all cost.
*Our Position*
Mr Chairman and Honourable Members, it is interesting to State that all retired Staff of the National Assembly Service humbly oppose this proposed Bill, which seeks to repeal the National Assembly Service Pensions Act, 2023 and revert the Pensioners of the National Assembly Service to the Contributory Pension Scheme. The amendment Bill is an unconscious display of disconnect between legislators and the very staff who drive the legislative machinery from inception to date. It does not recognise the sacrifices and contributions of those who have served the Legislature with distinction.
This retrogressive move threatens to condemn absolute loyalty and diligent personnel to hardship, illness, and premature death upon retirement—an outcome that the Principal Act was designed to prevent.
*Grounds for Our Opposition*
1.*Contravention of the Constitution:*
The proposed amendments Bill violates Section 173(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution by attempting to retroactively alter the retirement benefits of serving staff.
2.*Breach of Legislative Rules:* It violates the Standing Orders of both Chambers, Senate and the House of Representatives, of the National Assembly—Order 91 of the Senate and Order 15 of the House of Representatives on regulations guiding enactment of Bill for private interest groups in the Federal Republic of Nigeria(See Annexure).
3.*Ambiguity and Uncertainty:* The phrase “as and when due” in Section 1(a) is vague and lacks clarity, unlike the Principal Act which specifies clear retirement entitlements, including:
Retirement package of 500% of annual net emolument of individual staff as terminal benefit,as applicable in other Arms of Government;
300% of annual gross emolument as gratuity, as applicable in other Arms of Government;
50% of annual net emolument as yearly medical allowance (Section 7).
4.*Deceptive Intent:* Section 1(d) deceptively attempts to reintroduce the Contributory Pension Scheme, which the 2023 Act lawfully exempts National Assembly staff from.
5.*Misrepresentation of Service Peculiarity:* Section 1(e) undermines the legislative service’s unique status, already acknowledged in the National Assembly Service Pensions Principal Act,2023.
6.*Vague Redrafting:* The substitution of Section 2 with a vague and deceptive clause—while deleting Section 7—is clearly designed to eliminate specific, hard-earned retirement entitlements.
7.*Deletion of Penalty Provisions:* The attempt to delete Section 6 (penalty for non-remittance of funds within 72 hours) undermines financial accountability and opens the door to corruption, as experienced under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
8.*Threat to the Act’s Sustainability:* Section 6 is the legal safeguard ensuring remittances and sustainability of the pension system. Its deletion will jeopardize the entire framework and intent of the Principal Act, National Assembly Service Pensions Act,2023.
9.*Deletion of Section 7:* The removal of this section strips retirees of critical benefits, including:
50% yearly medical allowance (Section 7(d)), vital for health in old age,
50% allocation of personnel cost for pension medical (Section 7(c)), is critically essential as applicable to some retirees outside the National Assembly Service..
10.*Reversal of Progress:* Reverting to the CPS—acknowledged nationwide as a failed and unprogressive system—would condemn National Assembly staff to the same fate that led to the National Assembly Service Pensions Act,2023 reform.
11.*Alarming Reductions in Benefits:* The proposed cut from 800% to 300% in retirement package and gratuity benefits is unjustifiable. It is disturbing to compare career officers with 35 years of service to legislative aides who receive 300% severance after only four years.
*Conclusion*
We are gravely concerned that this proposed amendment Bill serves interests contrary to those of the retired staff it was enacted for. We call on the Chairman and Honourable Members to kindly join retired Staff of the National Assembly Service to rise in defense of the laudable achievement which the 9th National Assembly bequeaths the 10th National Assembly Service for protection of the dignity of our labour in the service of the National Assembly under the same APC ruling party in the Country.
We, therefore, urge that this proposed amendments Bill be withdrawn and the National Assembly Service Pension Board (Establishment) Act, 2023 be preserved in its entirety for the benefit and protection of those who have dedicated their careers to legislative service.
All retired Staff of the National Assembly Service, dead or alive, passionately appeal to the President of Senate and the Rt. Hon Speaker, House of Representatives for the composition and inauguration of the long awaited National Assembly Service Pensions Board as prescribed by the Act of the National Assembly,2023.
With the inauguration of the National Assembly Service Pensions Board, the area of shortcomings will be practically identified for comprehensive amendments but not amendments on speculations or assumptions.
Inauguration and implementation of the National Assembly Service Pensions Board will save lives of retired Staff of the National Assembly Service which is *the fundamental objective of any democratic government globally, particularly the renewed hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government*.
*Prayers:*
1.The Committee should kindly broker a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly Service and the leadership of the retirees for us to provide a detailed template for the successful implementation of the National Assembly Service Pensions Board in the interest and satisfaction of all the stakeholders, especially to the glory of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly Service and the legislative Institution as a whole.
2.The Committee should urge the Presiding Officers of the 10th National Assembly Service to kindly inaugurate the National Assembly Service Pensions Board accordingly.
3.Direct the National Assembly Service Pensions Board to submit a proposal for amendment within the shortest possible time of its inauguration.
4.We register our profound gratitude to the Rt Hon Speaker of the House of Representatives; Principal Officers; Honourable Members of the House of Representatives including the Chairman and Honourable Members of this important Committee for the window of opportunity granted the retired Staff of the National Assembly Service to express ourselves and *express our clear position on the proposed amendment Bill, as inimical to all retired Staff of the National Assembly Service*.
We so move.
Dr Adamu M Fika OFR mni
Chairman BoT
Council of Retired Clerks and Secretaries
Prince Oluyemi Ogunyomi
Secretary BoT
Council of Retired Clerks and Secretaries
Barr. C.J Osman
Chairman, Executive Management Committee,
Council of Retired Clerks and Secretaries
Alhaji Fatai O. Jimoh
General Secretary, Executive Management Committee (EMC)
Council of Retired Clerks and Secretaries
Alhaji Dr Salisu Maikasuawa CON mni
Chairman BoT
Association of Retired Staff of National Assembly Service.
Barr Jide Funmilayo
Secretary BoT
Association of Retired Staff of National Assembly Service
Mr Charles Adebayo
Chairman, Executive Management Committee (EMC),Association of Retired Staff of National Assembly Service
Mr James Ekeji
Ag. Secretary, Executive Management Committee (EMC),Association of Retired Staff of National Assembly Service