LAWRENCE O. Odeh, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science and Public Administration,
Faculty of Social and Management Sciences,
Benson Idahosa University, Edo State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: lawrenceodeh2021@gmail.com; lodeh@biu.edu.ng
Phone Number: +2348036859578.
JOSEPH O. Oladejo
Department of Public Administration,
Faculty of Social Sciences,
University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
E-mail: oluyemi.oladejo@uniben.edu
Abstract
The implementation of contributory pension policy in Nigeria, though, well-intended is ineffective,
leading to delay in payment of retirees’ entitlements as and when due. It is in this context that this
study investigates retirees‟ level of awareness of contributory pension policy in Delta State of Nigeria:
Issues and prospects, using the cross-sectional research design. The population and sample sizes of
the study were 16,273, and 1,200, respectively, and an in-depth interview was granted to 30
respondents. The simple percentages, Chi-square techniques, and Pearson’s Contingency Coefficient
were used in data analysis. Findings from the study show that there is lack of awareness of the
contributory pension policy of Delta State of Nigeria among the Local Government retirees in the
state, hence, their inability to seek redress for the delay in payment of their pension entitlements as
and when due. Several recommendations were highlighted in the study, such as a call on the policy
makers in the pension industry to regularly organize seminars and workshop on the principles and
implementation processes of the contributory pension policy for employees and retirees of the public
service, in order to create in them an awareness of the new pension law. In addition, the retirees
should embark on the formation of effective trade unions, and use such platforms to organize and
mobilize their members for series of sensitization workshops aimed at creating the proper awareness
of the contributory pension policy. Also, the various civil society groups, and other social associations
in Delta State should extend their advocacy activities to address the challenges of retirees‟ lack of
awareness of the new pension law, among others.
Keywords: Pension, contributory pension policy, awareness, retirees, pension scheme, public service,
Nigeria.