President Bola Tinubu has terminated the appointment of the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, just 13 months after reappointing her for a second four-year term.
A statement released on Monday by PTAD’s Head of Corporate Communications, Olugbenga Ajayi, announced that Tolulope Odunaiya has been appointed as the new Executive Secretary. Odunaiya officially assumed office on November 18, 2024, at PTAD’s headquarters in Abuja, succeeding Ejikeme, who served from August 2019 until her departure.
President Tinubu had reappointed Ejikeme in October 2023, before this recent change in leadership.
In her inaugural address to staff members, Odunaiya expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead and pledged to build on the foundation laid by her predecessors.
“It is with a deep sense of responsibility and purpose that I address you as the new Executive Secretary of this Directorate,” she said. “I want to begin by acknowledging the remarkable work of my predecessors and the dedication of every individual who has contributed to bringing us to this point.”
Odunaiya highlighted her commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment, urging staff to align with the directorate’s mission of improving the welfare of pensioners.
“My vision is for a directorate where every individual feels recognised, empowered, and motivated to make meaningful contributions,” she said. “I urge all of us to transcend personal interests and come together around our shared purpose: improving the lives of our pensioners, who have selflessly served this nation, often in challenging circumstances.”
Dr. Chioma Ejikeme’s tenure at PTAD saw various reforms aimed at enhancing the administration of pension benefits for retirees under the old defined benefit scheme. However, her sudden removal underscores the Tinubu administration’s broader shakeup of key leadership roles across federal agencies.
Tolulope Odunaiya’s appointment signals a new chapter for PTAD, with expectations that her leadership will drive further improvements in pension administration and enhance the welfare of Nigeria’s pensioners.
Details of the transition and the reasons for Ejikeme’s removal remain unclear.
