- The Military Pension Board (MPB) announced an Electronic Verification Exercise for retired veterans starting July 1, 2024
- Air Vice Marshal Paul Irumheson highlighted the importance of electronic verification due to security risks and logistical challenges pensioners face
The Military Pension Board (MPB) has announced the commencement of an Electronic Verification Exercise starting from July 1, 2024, aimed at all veterans who served commendably before retirement.
Chairman of the Board, Air Vice Marshal Paul Irumheson, revealed this during a press briefing in Abuja, highlighting that the exercise will span three months, concluding on September 30, 2024.
Irumheson emphasized the shift to electronic verification as essential due to the security risks associated with physical travel, particularly for elderly pensioners and those residing abroad who face high transportation costs.
Following a successful pilot test conducted from February 19 to March 1, 2024, involving 2000 pensioners with only 15 participants encountering issues, Irumheson assured that the system was refined based on trial phase feedback.
“On behalf of the Military Pension Board, I declare the Electronic Verification Exercise open for all retired pensioners,” stated Irumheson. He underscored the importance of public awareness and education initiatives to effectively guide pensioners through the verification process.
The Board stressed that pensioners failing to participate in the electronic verification exercise risk non-payment of pensions in the future. The initiative has received approval from Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. CG Musa.
The MPB urged all retired military officers eligible for pensions to actively engage in the exercise to ensure a smooth continuation of pension disbursements.