The Enugu State Local Government Staff Pensions Board says it has fully digitalized its pension administration process as part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving service delivery, eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhancing transparency in the management of pension records.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Board, Dr. Eric Oluedo, disclosed this during an interview on Beyond the Headlines, a Freedom Square TV programme hosted by Uchenna Cyril Anioke.
Dr. Oluedo said the digital transformation, initiated under the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, has ended the era when pensioners travelled long distances to Enugu for routine verification exercises.
According to him, the state government established pension desk officers in all 17 local government areas and the Local Government Service Commission, enabling retirees to process pension-related issues within their respective local government areas.
He explained that the reform has significantly reduced the stress on elderly pensioners, many of whom previously endured long journeys and queues for verification.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that upon assuming office, he inherited more than 28,000 physical pension files, which the Board has been converting into electronic records to create a more efficient and reliable database. He said the digital records are being stored securely in the cloud to improve record management, facilitate faster access to pension information and eliminate inefficiencies associated with paper-based records.
Dr. Oluedo further revealed that the Board has introduced remote biometric verification, allowing pensioners who are unable to travel due to age, ill health or residence outside Nigeria to complete verification through live video interaction. He noted that family members or caregivers can assist pensioners during the process, making verification more convenient and inclusive.
Dr. Oluedo said the Board has also incorporated an “I Am Alive” verification into its digital pension management system to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries continue to receive pension payments. He explained that the exercise allows pensioners to confirm their status through live video interaction without having to appear physically before the Board, while those who require assistance can participate with the support of relatives or caregivers. According to him, the initiative helps keep the pension database updated and prevents payments to deceased beneficiaries, while sparing genuine pensioners the stress and cost of travelling for physical verification.
To safeguard the digital system, Dr. Oluedo said the Board operates within the Enugu State Government’s unified digital infrastructure and has continued to strengthen its cybersecurity measures through regular training of ICT personnel and local government desk officers. According to him, staff are also equipped to identify potential cyber threats and respond appropriately to protect pensioners’ personal information.
Beyond technology, the Executive Secretary said the Board has prioritized continuous training and retraining of staff to improve service delivery. He explained that officers are being trained to treat pensioners with empathy, patience and professionalism, recognizing the unique needs of elderly retirees.
Dr. Oluedo maintained that the digital transformation has not only improved operational efficiency but has also strengthened transparency and accountability in pension administration, expressing confidence that the reforms would ensure more responsive, secure and pensioner-friendly services across Enugu State.