LASG TRAINS 400 SOON-TO-RETIRE LOCAL GOVT OFFICERS ON SEAMLESS TRANSITION TO LIFE AFTER SERVICE
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the welfare of public servants by equipping officers approaching retirement with the knowledge, skills and resources needed for a smooth and fulfilling transition from active service to retirement.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Government Establishments and Training, Ms. Toyin Ogunlana, stated this while delivering her welcome address at the 2026 Pre-Retirement Sensitisation Workshop for Officers in the Unified Local Government Service, held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
Addressing participants, Ms. Ogunlana described retirement as a significant milestone in the life of every public servant, stressing that it should not be viewed as the end of a career but as the beginning of another important phase that requires careful planning, informed decision-making and adequate preparation.
She noted that the workshop reflects the Lagos State Government’s unwavering commitment to placing people at the centre of governance through policies and programmes that promote dignity, security and an improved quality of life for public servants before and after retirement.
According to the Permanent Secretary, interactions with officers approaching retirement revealed that many face uncertainty due to inadequate knowledge of pension administration, financial planning, healthcare management, emotional adjustment and opportunities for productive engagement after leaving active service.
She explained that many of these challenges arise because retirement planning is often delayed until the final years of service, leaving little time to adequately prepare for life after retirement.
Ms. Ogunlana said the workshop was carefully designed to provide participants with practical knowledge, relevant information and essential skills to ensure a seamless transition from active service to retirement.
Speaking on the theme, “Retirement Ready: Ensuring a Seamless Transition from Service to Pension,” she emphasised the importance of early retirement planning, proper understanding of pension processes, sound financial management, healthcare planning and the development of sustainable post-retirement plans.
The Permanent Secretary expressed confidence that the workshop would empower participants to make informed decisions that would guarantee financial security, emotional stability and a rewarding life after public service.
She expressed confidence that the workshop would empower participants to make informed decisions that would guarantee financial security, emotional stability and a rewarding life after public service.
In his goodwill message, the Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mr. Babalola Obilana, commended the Office of Local Government Establishments and Training for sustaining the annual pre-retirement sensitisation programme, describing it as a proactive initiative that prepares officers for a seamless transition into retirement.
The DG, represented by the Head of Technical Department, LASPEC, Mrs. Morenike Makinde, urged participants to familiarise themselves with the Contributory Pension Scheme, maintain accurate retirement records and engage regularly with their Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to avoid delays in accessing their retirement benefits.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Mrs. Bukonla Durodola, emphasised that retirement should be viewed as the beginning of a new phase of productivity rather than the end of active living.
She encouraged participants to embrace proper planning, continuous learning and prudent financial management, stressing that the quality of retirement is largely determined by the decisions taken while still in service.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, lauded the initiative as a demonstration of the Lagos State Government’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce.
She urged participants to make the most of the workshop by engaging resource persons, asking questions and taking advantage of the retirement documentation clinic, noting that adequate preparation remains the key to a fulfilling and financially secure retirement.
The participants benefited from expert sessions on the Retirement Documentation Masterclass tagged: “Essential Records Every Retiring Officer Must Have as well” as “Why Pension and Gratuity Payments Are Delayed and How to Avoid Common Pitfalls.”
The Permanent Secretary also revealed that a Retirement Documentation Clinic had been incorporated into the programme to provide one-on-one guidance for participants in reviewing their documents and identifying outstanding requirements before retirement.
Representatives of various Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and other pension professionals participated in an interactive panel discussion where they addressed participants’ questions and provided practical guidance on retirement planning and pension administration.
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