PenCom, NPAN partner to boost media pension compliance

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has announced plans to collaborate with the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) to drive full compliance with pension remittance among media organisations across the country.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to NPAN President, Malam Kabiru Yusuf, in Abuja on Monday, PenCom Director General Ms. Omolola Oloworaran emphasized the urgent need for media employers to adhere to the Pension Reform Act of 2014. The Act mandates all employers to remit pension contributions for their employees within seven days of salary payment.

Ms. Oloworaran revealed that the visit aimed to seek NPAN’s support in improving pension compliance within the media industry, where many organisations have reportedly failed to fulfill their obligations.

“Our mandate is to ensure full compliance with the Pension Reform Act. We’ve held numerous engagements with employers across various sectors, and unfortunately, the media sector remains one of the most non-compliant,” she said.

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According to PenCom’s findings, media employers collectively owe over N720 million in unremitted pension contributions. The DG described the situation as “troubling,” stressing the importance of the media in shaping national discourse and setting examples in upholding workers’ rights.

“It’s quite striking that many media houses do not remit pensions at all. We hold the media in high regard and expect them to lead by example. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case,” she added.

However, Ms. Oloworaran commended Daily Trust, operated by Media Trust Group, for being the only media organisation consistently compliant with pension remittances since 2015.

“I must commend Daily Trust for their leadership in this area. You’ve shown commitment to workers’ welfare by ensuring regular pension contributions,” she said.

She clarified that PenCom’s current approach is not punitive, but rather focused on building partnerships to safeguard the financial future of media workers.

In response, NPAN President Malam Kabiru Yusuf, who also serves as Chairman of Media Trust Group, acknowledged the financial challenges facing the media industry. He explained that many newspaper houses are struggling to meet basic financial obligations, including staff salaries.

“The industry is in deep trouble, and that’s likely a key reason for the lack of pension compliance,” he said.

To address the issue, Yusuf proposed organizing a broader meeting involving the Nigerian Press Organisation (comprising NPAN, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists) to engage with PenCom and develop a sustainable solution.

He suggested that the meeting be scheduled for August or September to create a roadmap for improved pension compliance in the media sector.