Premium Pension Appoints New Chairman, Non-executive Directors

Premium Pension Limited has appointed Gen. Bitrus Kwaji (rtd) as its new chairman effective 19th August 2023.

 

This followed the retirement of the erstwhile chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Alhassan Babayo who held the position from 2020.

 

Similarly, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, DCG Garba Bala Makarfi (Rtd) and Dr. Mansur Aliero joined the board of the company as non-executive directors in September 2023.

 

General Kwaji (rtd), a career soldier trained by the Nigerian Army to become a chartered accountant is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Strayer University Washington DC, USA, among others.

 

Until his retirement from the Nigerian Army in 2014, General Kwaji, was the group managing director, Nigerian Army Welfare Ltd/Gte, a non-profit organisation, registered by the Nigerian Army under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

 

During his over 30 years career in the Nigerian Army, he held several positions, including Deputy Defence Attaché Finance, Washington DC, General Manager (Investments) Nigerian Army Welfare Scheme, Director of Finance Defence Intelligence Agency, Commandant Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration as well as Chairman, Military Pensions Board.

 

Gen. Kwaji, is a distinguished Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (FCNA).

 

Until his appointment as chairman, board of directors, he chaired the board Audit Committee as well as Finance and General Purposes Committee that had oversight over the development of the company’s Strategic Plan and is responsible for periodic review as well as monitoring the implementation of the Plan.

 

It is these wide-ranging experiences, garnered over the years, deep understanding of the business as well as the Strategic Plan of the Company that he is bringing to bear on his new assignment as the Chairman of the Board of Premium Pension Limited.

 

Dr. Nenadi Esther Usman is a distinguished and accomplished leader and respected public personality with a diverse and impressive background.

 

She holds a Doctorate Degree in Geography from the famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Master’s Degree in Strategy and Security Management as well as expertise in Administration and taxation respectively.

 

She has exhibited a lifelong commitment to education, leadership, and public service. She served as the Minister of Finance in the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, where she played a pivotal role in shaping economic policies and strategies for Nigeria, meant to bolster economic development of the nation.

 

Garba Bala Makarfi is a highly accomplished professional with a rich educational background and extensive experience in leadership roles. He holds a Diploma in Library Science and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Library and Information Science, both earned from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria demonstrating his commitment to continuous penchant for scholarship. Mr. Makarfi’s professional journey is marked by a series of notable achievements and training experiences that have enhanced his expertise and leadership abilities.

 

Dr. Mansurl Aliero is a consummate academician and an entrepreneur with a strong educational foundation, distinguished academic career spanning various institutions and degrees. He attended Usman Danfodio University Sokoto. He completed his PhD and Msc degrees in 2018 and 2012 respectively at University Putra Malaysia.

 

Aliero’s academic achievements, professional expertise, and commitment to ongoing learning underscore his dedication to contributing to the fields of education, Business, and enterprise GIS. His extensive training and memberships in professional organizations reflect his continuous pursuit of excellence and knowledge in his chosen career. In his quest for knowledge, Dr. Mansur attended notable international conferences in Tunisia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China among others.

 

Premium Pension Limited signs fund management agreement with Jigawa State as the lead PFA.

Premium Pension Limited, a leading Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) in the country and Jigawa State Government have signed a Portfolio Management Agreement which confers on the former the authority and responsibility of managing the state’s Pension fund as the Lead PFA. This fund has been established by the State Government through the Jigawa (State & Local Government) Contributory Pension Scheme. The signing of the Agreement follows the reappointment of Premium Pension as a Lead PFA for a term of two years. The Agreement which has the endorsement of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) emphasizes, among others, that the funds must be managed in accordance with the guidelines issued pursuant to the Pension reform Act 2014 and Jigawa State Pension Law.

The ceremony for the signing of the Agreement was held recently at the Pension House, Dutse Jigawa State with key stakeholders on both sides in attendance. While the Acting Managing Director of Premium Pension Limited Mr. Kabir Ahmed Tijjani signed on behalf of the Company, the Acting Head of Service of Jigawa State Alhaji Hussaini Kila and the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa (State & Local Government) Contributory Pension Scheme Alhaji Hashim Fagam signed on behalf of the Jigawa State Government.

“This is a practical demonstration of mutual trust and highly productive partnership required to drive the contributory pension scheme in the Country” said Mr. Tijjani while making remarks at the ceremony. Mr. Tijjani further said that “All the appointed Fund Managers will continue to justify the confidence reposed in them by Jigawa State.”

Other officials of the state present at the occasion includes the Statutory Board members of the Jigawa (State & Local Government) Contributory Pension Scheme, the state Solicitor General and other government officials. Others include Managing Directors and Company Secretaries of other fund Managers appointed by the state

In another developments, as part of the strategic efforts of the Company to reach out to its teeming members towards achieving exceptional customer experience, the Management of Premium Pension Limited led by the Acting CEO Mr. Kabir Ahmed Tijjani held an interactive session with the Pension Desk Officers (PDOs) and Human Resource Managers in Kano.  The colorful event took place recently at the Tahir Guest Palace Hotel.

Highlight of the event was the Launching of PPL Mobile app which was timely and well appreciated by the participants. This is expected to drive and increase customer engagement as well as easy access to the Company’s services through digital platform.

CSR: Premium Pension donates to schools, IDPs and orphanage.

Premium Pensions Limited (PPL), one of Nigeria’s leading Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) with regard to Assets under Management, (AUM) has donated educational materials to select schools in Nigeria. The PFA also donated relief materials to some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and orphanages in some parts of the country.

The interventions are aimed at touching the lives of the beneficiaries positively. Some of the CSR interventions include presentation of exercise books to Abia and Kaduna States. Other donations include food items and mattresses to Clapai Orphanage in Plateau State and clothing items to Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) in Borno State. Manual boreholes were also constructed for Rawayya Village in Zamfara State as well as Karu abattoir and old-Kutunkun village in Gwagwalada within the Federal Capital Territory.

Other interventions include; the provision of solar-powered lights in Federal University Dutse, Jigawa state and providing financial assistance to Miss. Onyekachi Ezekwe for surgical operation.

 “As a responsible corporate entity, Premium Pension Limited cannot stand aloof when the opportunity to help people in need and contribute to the development of the society arises” said the Managing Director/CEO, Umar Sanda Mairami. “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an integral part of the company’s corporate governance architecture for which we have won international awards”.Premium Pension is one of the leading Pension Fund Administrators with offices across the country. The company has over N700 billion as Assets Under Management

Premium Pension Unveils New Brand Identity

In its strategic plans of taking the company to the next level of growth, Premium Pension Limited has unveiled a new logo to reflect the company’s positioning as a future focused organization actively growing its member’s wealth so they can embrace their golden years.

The new look of the brand is a final step in a transformation that includes a revamped technology infrastructure designed to provide a ‘premium experience’ for its customers.

The re-launch event, which took place recently at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island Lagos, provided an opportunity for the brand to unveil its new logo and brand promise.

The occasion afforded the audience a sneak preview of the multi-channel mobile app, which is set to revolutionize the pensions industry. Guests at the event were also updated on the recently introduced micro pension product, aimed at small business owners.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, Architect Yunusa Yakubu, who gave a brief history of the company which he said started operations in January 2006, added that today the company is one of the leading pension administrators in Nigeria with Assets Under Management (AUM) of over N673 billion. He said the new brand identity “will make bold statement of our dominance,” while creating values and offering improved services to our teeming customers.

In his address at the event the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Umar Sanda Mairami, said “The renewed and refreshed Premium Pension is a delicate blend of the old and the new. Whilst we will continue to provide premium returns to our customers who have been with us over the years, we are conscious of the needs of the new generation and have designed products specifically for their lifestyle, to ensure they can look forward to and then enjoy their golden years”.

In his speech, the Chairman/CEO, BUA Group, Abdussamad Rabiu, who was represented at the event by the Group Executive Director, Alhaji Kabir Rabiu, said the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) has impacted positively on the nation’s economy.


While commending Premium Pension for its contribution to the growth of Contribution Pension Scheme (CPS) in Nigeria, he said BUA Group was proud to be associated with Premium Pension Limited achievements over the years. He expressed optimism that the unveiling of the new brand identity will provide the company with the needed springboard to move the company to higher heights as well as enhance the growth of pension industry in Nigeria.