The Federal Government has approved a new electronic verification system for military pensioners. This initiative aims to improve the administration of pensions and prevent impersonation. AVM Paul Irumheson, Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, shared this information on Friday in Abuja while addressing the media.
Irumheson explained that the move to electronic verification is intended to reduce the need for elderly pensioners to travel, which can be risky and expensive. He emphasized that this system will make the verification process safer and more cost-effective for all military pensioners, including those living abroad.
“You may recall that on February 15, I briefed this honourable press about the board’s intention or plan to move from physical verification to electronic verification for our military retirees. The reasons, among others, include the security risk of travelling from one place to another; the old age of some of our pensioners; and the high cost of transportation, particularly for those staying abroad,” Irumheson stated.
The board conducted a pilot test of the new system from February 15 to March 1. Out of 2,000 pensioners, only 15 failed the process, indicating a high success rate. The feedback from this pilot has been used to make improvements to the system.
Dr. Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, and General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, have both approved the start of the verification process. Irumheson assured that there would be enough public awareness campaigns to help pensioners use the new system easily.
The chairman urged all military pensioners to participate in the electronic verification exercise. He warned that those who do not take part will stop receiving their pensions. “I hereby declare the Electronic Verification Exercise officially open on full scale for all our retired pensioners for a period of three months from July 1, to Sept. 30. Finally, the Board wishes to advise all pensioners to take an active part in this exercise. Those that fail to take part in the verification exercise will not get their pensions going forward,” he said.