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The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has strongly refuted allegations that more than 1,000 of its retirees are being denied pension benefits, insisting that reports suggesting widespread non-payment are misleading and do not reflect the realities of pension administration within the agency.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the agency described a newspaper publication of June 17, 2026, titled “Unpaid Pension: Over 1,000 NAMA Retirees Seek FG’s Intervention,” as inaccurate and lacking the legal and administrative context necessary to present a balanced account of the situation.
Signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr Abdullahi Musa, the statement maintained that the report created a false impression that the agency had abandoned its obligations to pensioners.
According to NAMA, the allegation that over 1,000 retirees remain unpaid is not supported by the facts available to the agency and does not reflect its sustained efforts towards ensuring the welfare of former employees.
The agency stated that since the assumption of office of the Managing Director, Engr Farouk Ahmed Umar, and his management team, retirees’ welfare has remained a key priority.
As part of efforts to address pension-related concerns, NAMA disclosed that it commissioned a comprehensive actuarial assessment covering pension adjustments for the years 2007, 2010, 2019 and 2024.
The statement noted that the exercise had been successfully completed and that the implementation process was already underway through established administrative procedures.
According to the agency, the initiative demonstrates its commitment to pensioners and contradicts claims that retirees have been neglected.
NAMA further revealed that it has maintained regular consultations with representatives of retirees and other stakeholders in a bid to resolve outstanding issues amicably.
It stated that during the latest meeting held on June 10, 2026, management and retiree representatives jointly agreed that clarification should be sought from the National Pension Commission (PenCom) on certain technical matters requiring regulatory interpretation.
Consequently, the agency said it immediately forwarded the relevant correspondence to PenCom and is currently awaiting an official response.
The statement stressed that this approach reflects NAMA’s commitment to transparency, due process and constructive engagement with stakeholders.
Addressing concerns surrounding employees who transitioned from the Defined Benefit Scheme to the Contributory Pension Scheme in June 2004, NAMA stated that accrued pension rights for the affected officers had been fully settled in line with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act.
It explained that the funds were transferred directly into the Retirement Savings Accounts of eligible employees, who now receive their monthly pension benefits through their Pension Fund Administrators and annuity providers.
On this basis, the agency argued that assertions suggesting that more than a thousand retirees remain unpaid were inconsistent with the available records.
Beyond disputing the claims, NAMA warned that such reports could create unnecessary anxiety among retirees, undermine confidence in the institution and hamper ongoing efforts aimed at resolving pension-related issues.
The agency therefore demanded an immediate and unequivocal retraction of the publication, along with a prominent public apology from the newspaper concerned.
According to NAMA, the publication was capable of misleading the public and damaging the reputation of an institution that has consistently operated within the confines of the law.
Reaffirming its commitment to accountability and transparency, the agency pledged to continue engaging with PenCom and recognised representatives of retirees to ensure that all pension matters are addressed fairly, lawfully and in a sustainable manner.
“NAMA remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability and the welfare of its retirees,” the statement added.
