The Association of Pension Desk Practitioners of Nigeria (ASSOPE) denied on Tuesday an allegation by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) that it was presenting itself as a pension consultant. In a statement released to journalists in Lagos, Mr. Nelson Bassey, Head of Administration at ASSOPE, clarified that the association has never claimed to be an affiliate or representative of PenCom, any Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), or any Pension Fund Custodian.
PenCom had earlier, on Friday, distanced itself from ASSOPE’s activities on pension matters and issued a warning to the public about the association’s actions. Bassey said the association was aware of PenCom’s disclaimer dated April 7 and emphasized that ASSOPE has never collected money from anyone with a promise to help recover pension funds.
According to Bassey, ASSOPE’s primary focus is the training and retraining of pension desk practitioners and other employees to enhance their knowledge of pension systems, retirement planning, and entrepreneurship. During these training sessions, the association has heard contributors’ challenges, such as employers’ failure to remit contributions to PFAs and retirees’ difficulty accessing their pensions due to documentation problems. ASSOPE advises participants that there is no alternative to the Pension Reform Act (PRA) of 2004 and its 2014 amendment.
Bassey noted that many members of the public, especially those in the informal sector, lack adequate understanding of pension and retirement planning. The association encourages enrollment in the contributory pension scheme through regular advocacy. He stressed that ASSOPE has never claimed to consult for any PFA or PenCom, and its activities have received positive media coverage, including past ASSOPE Pension Conferences attended by state pension board directors, heads of service, ministry officials, pension desk practitioners, and others, without any adverse reports.
He added that the association has not sent any letters to PenCom or any PFA requesting payment on behalf of contributors, nor has it received payment from any contributor for such services. ASSOPE does not claim to resolve pension issues or assist retirees in securing benefits. Its core mandate is to upskill employees in pension matters, equipping them with the knowledge needed to avoid mistakes that delay pension payments. Bassey explained that most delays stem from ignorance, a conclusion drawn from interactions with employees.
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