The Lagos State Government has trained 400 local government officers nearing retirement, reaffirming its commitment to preparing public servants for a smooth and rewarding life after active service.
Speaking at the 2026 Pre-Retirement Sensitisation Workshop held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Government Establishments and Training, Ms. Toyin Ogunlana, described retirement as the beginning of a new phase that requires early planning, informed decisions and proper preparation.
She noted that many retiring officers face challenges due to limited knowledge of pension administration, financial planning, healthcare management, emotional adjustment and post-retirement opportunities, adding that the workshop was designed to address these gaps. The programme, themed “Retirement Ready: Ensuring a Seamless Transition from Service to Pension,” focused on retirement planning, pension processes, financial management, healthcare planning and sustainable post-retirement strategies.
The Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mr. Babalola Obilana, represented by Mrs. Morenike Makinde, urged participants to understand the Contributory Pension Scheme, keep accurate retirement records and maintain regular contact with their Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to avoid delays in accessing retirement benefits.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Mrs. Bukonla Durodola, encouraged officers to see retirement as a new phase of productivity, while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, urged participants to actively engage experts and take advantage of the retirement documentation clinic.
Participants also attended expert sessions on essential retirement documentation, common causes of delays in pension and gratuity payments, and received one-on-one guidance through a Retirement Documentation Clinic. Representatives of Pension Fund Administrators and pension professionals also held an interactive session to provide practical advice on retirement planning and pension administration.