Workshop Objective: 

The broad objective of the Workshop is to expose Pension Desk Officers (PDOs) to effective ways and means of empowering staff of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the critical areas of maximization of pension RSA balances; housing acquisition through Pension Fund balances; processing Death Benefit payments; and mastery of the PenCom-regulated Online Retirement Application.

Training Module:                                 

1. MAXIMIZATION OF PENSION RSA BALANCES FOR STAFF OF MDAs.

DETAILS (Learning Objectives)

Key Terms: MDA, PRA 2014, PFA and RSA

• Payslip Deductions
• Comparative Checks with Peers
• Remittance Schedules/Schedules of Contribution at MDA
• RSA Statements by PFAs
• Additional Voluntary Contributions
• Multi-Fund Structure Placement
• Grievance Redress Mechanisms at MDA, PFA and PenCom
• RSA Transfer Window.

2. HOUSING ACQUISITION THROUGH 25% PENSION FUND BALANCES.           

DETAILS (Learning Objectives)

Key Terms: PRA 2014, PFA, RSA, Mortgage Policy and NHF

• Objectives of RSA Mortgage Policy
• PenCom-Approved Mortgage Institutions
• Modus Operandi of the Mortgage Policy
• RSA Qualifications
• Salary Qualifications
• Career Qualifications
• Merger of RSAs Deduction Strategy
• Documentation Checklist
• Fast-tracking Implementation Modalities.

3. PROCESSING DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENTS FOR BENEFICIARIES. 

DETAILS (Learning Objectives)

Key Terms: PRA 2014, GLA, HoS, NoK, Underwriter, Broker and New Format Nominal Roll

• Unveiling Five Separate Death Benefits
• Documentation Checklist at MDA
• Documentation Checklist at HoS
• Documentation Checklist at Ministry
• Documentation Checklist at PFA
• Documentation Checklist at Broker
• New Format Nominal Roll
• Critical Follow-ups
• Major Mistakes to Avoid
• Grievance Redress Mechanisms at HoS, PenCom and NAICOM.

4. MASTERING PENCOM’S ONLINE RETIREMENT ENROLMENT APPLICATION.             

DETAILS (Learning Objectives)

Key Terms: PenCom, PFA, HoS, RSA Balance, APR and Lump Sum

• Admin Users and Specimen Signatures
• ICT Software, Hardware and Internet Data
• Overview of the Online Application’s Interface
• Introduction to MDA, Retiree and PFA Modules
• Documentation Checklist at MDA
• Documentation Checklist at PFA
• Populating and Uploading the Enrolment Template
• Resolving Major Enrolment Issues
• Game-changing Features of the Enrolment Application.

Delivery Methodology:

The Workshop will be conducted using the adult self-directed learning methodology. This will be complemented with intensive lectures, discussion sessions and practical sessions.

Resource Persons:

• Specially selected to present high-value Workshop Papers.
• Highly skilled, experienced and resourceful communicators.
• Acclaimed authors, editors and contributors of pension-related professional publications;
• Have successfully mentored scores of PDOs across the country in resolving pressing challenges.

Workshop Fees:

N150,500.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Five Hundred Naira)

• Payable 2 weeks before the Workshop; or
• Payable in Cash at the Workshop Venue.

Workshop Venue: 

ICPC Academy, KM 46, Abuja-Keffi Expresway (beside NYSC Orientation Camp), Keffi, Nassarawa State (30-45 minutes’ drive from Karu, Abuja)

Method of Payment:

The Workshop Fee is to be paid into ASSOPEP Account, using the details below: Name of Bank: First Bank Account Name: Association of Pension Desk Practitioners of Nigeria Account Number: 2036406850 (Fund Transfer Sort Code: 011152358)

How To Register:

Interested officers are to seek approval from their respective organizations and, on approval, forward their names to info@assopep.org with evidence of workshop fee payment. Cash is also acceptable at the Workshop Venue.

Target Audience

The Workshop is specifically designed and structured for:

• Pension Desk Officers in Treasury-funded MDAs in Nigeria’s Federal Public Service.
• Assistant PDOs in Treasury-funded MDAs in Nigeria’s Federal Public Service.
• Principal Officers and Management staff of MDAs.

Accommodation:

This Workshop is non-residential. Participants are to lodge in hotels of their choice near the Workshop venue. A list of these Hotels is available on request.

Date
23rd June 2025 - 26th June 2025

Conference Theme: Securing the Future: Navigating Challenges and Strategies for a Sustainable Pension System.

Conference Overview:

The conference addresses the current challenges faced by pension systems and offers strategies for sustainability.

The conference will feature renowned experts, thought leaders, and practitioners in the field of pensions. Their expertise and the unique perspectives they bring, ensure attendees receive valuable insights and learn from industry leaders.

Benefits of Attending the Conference:

• Interactive Discussions: The conference will provide a platform for engaging discussions, panels, and workshops. Attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on finding innovative solutions to pension system challenges.
• Networking Opportunities: The conference will bring together professionals and stakeholders from various sectors involved in pension systems. There will be networking sessions where attendees can connect with peers, experts, and potential collaborators.
• Practical Strategies and Case Studies: The conference will focus on practical strategies and real-world case studies that demonstrate successful approaches to building sustainable pension systems. This will appeal to attendees seeking actionable takeaways and practical solutions.

Conference Content:

Session 1: Introduction

• Introduction to the conference theme
• Importance of sustainability in pension systems

Session 2: Understanding the Challenges

• Global perspectives on challenges facing pension systems
• Demographic shifts, economic uncertainties, and their impact on pensions
• Case studies on challenges overcome in various regions

Session 3: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

• Overview of current legal and regulatory structures for pensions
• Navigating regulatory challenges and fostering compliance
• Innovations in legal frameworks for sustainable pension systems

Session 4: Technological Innovations in Pension Administration

• Retiree Enrolment Portal
• Retiree Registration Module
• Pension Fund Registration Module
• Ministry Department Agency MDA Module

Session 5: PTAD and Online Pensioners’ Verification Innovations

• Steps for the “I Am Alive” Confirmation
• Facial Confirmation
• Fingerprint Confirmation

Session 6: Strategies for Future Sustainability

• Panel discussion on future trends in pension systems
• Strategies for adapting to evolving economic and demographic landscapes
• Building resilient systems for future generations

Session 7: Closing Remarks and Action Plans

• Summary of key takeaways from the conference
• Development of action plans for implementing sustainable pension strategies
• Closing remarks and acknowledgements

This conference will offer a unique opportunity for attendees to gain insights, share experiences, and contribute to the development of strategies that promote the sustainability of pension systems in an ever-changing global landscape.

Date
5th November 2024 - 8th November 2024

Course Overview:

The "Innovations in Pension Technology: Shaping the Future of Pension Administration" course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the technological advancements shaping the field of pension administration.

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, this course aims to explore innovative solutions, tools, and strategies that can enhance the efficiency, security, and overall effectiveness of pension management.

Participants will gain insights into cutting-edge technologies, best practices, and emerging trends in pension technology, equipping them with the knowledge needed to navigate and lead in the dynamic landscape of pension administration.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, participants will:

1. Understand the significance of technological innovations in the context of pension administration.
2. Gain insights into the latest trends, tools, and digital solutions influencing pension management.
3. Explore strategies to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and security of pension administration processes.
4. Acquire knowledge of the potential challenges and opportunities associated with implementing pension technology.
5. Develop the skills needed to evaluate, select, and implement appropriate technological solutions for pension administration.
6. Build a forward-thinking mindset to adapt and capitalize on future developments in pension technology.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to Innovations in Pension Technology

• Overview of the current state of pension administration
• Significance of technology in transforming pension management
• Key drivers of innovation in the pension sector

Module 2: Procedures for Online Enrolment- Retiree Self-Registration

• Retiree Enrolment Portal
• Retiree Registration Module
• Pension Fund Registration Module
• Ministry Department Agency MDA Module

Module 3: PTAD and Online Pensioners’ Verification Innovations

• Steps for the “I Am Alive” Confirmation
• Facial Confirmation
• Fingerprint Confirmation

Module 4: Technological Trends in Pension Administration

• Cloud computing and its impact on pension systems
• Technology for secure and transparent pension transactions
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)  in pension decision-making

Module 5: Tools and Solutions for Efficient Pension Management

• Digital platforms for member communication and engagement
•  Process Automation (PA) in streamlining administrative processes
• Data analytics for informed decision-making in pension administration

Module 6: Strategic Decision-Making in Pension Technology

• Evaluating and selecting suitable technological solutions
• Planning and implementing technology-driven changes in pension systems
• Future trends and developments in pension technology.

Download Conference Flyer  https://assopep.org/file/PENSION-ANNUAL-WORKSHOP-FLYER-2024.pdf

Download Special Invitation Letter  https://assopep.org/file/SPECIAL-INVITE-TO-ANNUAL-PENSION-WORKSHOP-2024.docx

Date
25th June 2024 - 27th June 2024

The Federal Government of Nigeria has embarked on pension reforms in both the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy. The purpose of the reforms is partly to shed the burden of pension payment liabilities, harmonize pension schemes in both sectors of the economy, ensure viable investment of pension funds and effect prompt payment of pension benefits.

 The reforms have created mixed feelings among Nigerian workers. There was at the outset a strong feeling among a segment of the workforce that they may lose out in the current dispensation of reforms. There is no doubt that the new pension scheme has come to stay. It is necessary to have an informed dialogue on the new pension scheme and its benefits to the workers, the employers and the Nigerian economy.

This is required for appropriate response by Nigerian managers and workers and management of the new pension scheme. These form the rationale for this conference This workshop covers in-depth understanding of pension plans and the different types of plans, the role of major stakeholders from pensioners to investment advisors as well as the impact and implications for these funds, from the global and regional economic downturn. Detailed information is also provided on modern investment strategies and pension management process with special focus on the investment policy statement and asset allocation.

Who should attend? 

Pension Desk Officers and Managers, Human Resource Managers, Pension Fund Custodians and Administrators, Pension Regulatory Agency, Accountants, Auditors, Lawyers, and others who perform related functions in both Public and Private Sectors

Workshop Profile

• Pension Management
• Pension Plans
• Pension Accounting
• Modern Investment Strategies
• Pension Fund Management
• Pension Act
• Pension Governance
• Pension Consultants
• Pension Risk Management
• Pension Reform Commission

Date
6th June 2023 - 8th June 2023

A Retirement Savings Account (RSA) is a Defined Contribution Plan required under the Pensions Reform Act 2014. It can be opened by every employee in an organization with 3 staff or more. This training works you through the entire process of a retirement saving account, with no stones unturned.

Features/Outlines

• Mandatory: Every employer employing more than 5 employees is mandated by law to open RSA for all employees with a PFA.
• Contributory: Means both the employer and employee will make monthly contributions into the RSA.
• Fully funded: The monthly contributions guarantee that the RSA remain fully funded to meet the liquidity needs at retirement.
• Access to funds begins at 50 years or subject to terms and conditions of service. The contributor has a choice of either a Programmed Withdrawal or Annuity option to receive his/her pension.
• Strictly supervised and regulated by a regulator that has the power of granting licenses and enforcing compliance with PRA 2014.
• Quarterly Statement of Account.

Who Will It Benefit?

All Employees, Professionals, Employers of labor, Administrators, Directors, and Ceo’s.

Date
9th May 2023 - 11th May 2023

This workshop training is tailored towards all employees approaching retirement shortly, or in a few years’ time; they will confront real economic issues after their years of employment in their respective organizations. The course shows that retiring from corporate employment needs not become a calamity. It also introduces participants to post-retirement Entrepreneurship, as they are taken through an orientation of “entrepreneurial personality” which, rather than being characterized by a propensity for risk taking, will among other things focus on one thing – “opportunities maximization.”  

Delegates will learn a number of entrepreneurial logics and be made to dig deep into ideas - underlying a product or service they could think of venturing into, prepare such ideas, getting started, and keeping it going with commitment.

Learning Outcomes

The workshop will also give the participants ways to:

• Identify their talents and personal capabilities that they can utilize elsewhere
• Restructure their lives
• Implement a successful financial life plan
• Invest wisely 
• If desired, start and run own business and become successful entrepreneurs
• Where needed, get new satisfying employment.

Course Outline       

General Retirement Orientation

• State of the economy and prospects faced in retirement
• Coping with severance from corporate employment
• Choice of what to do next.

Investments

• Types of investments currently available in Nigeria
• Guidelines and advice on selecting investment types.

Can You Run Your Own Business?

• Planning a new business
• Business development process.

Entrepreneurship

• A random walk through simple businesses suitable for retirees
• The disciplines for business success
• Preparation of a business plan
• Legal requirements for business.

Nurturing a Business for Profitability

• Structure for a retiree’s business
• Marketing knowledge and selling skills to propagate the business
• Attention to the financial health of the business – capital and cash flow.
• How to Choose an Entrepreneurial Endeavour to Pursue
• The courage to take the leap.

Financial Information

• Capital for the business - the seed money to get started
• A sample Business Cash Flow Projection
• A sample Profit & Loss Account. 

Business Strategy 

• The art of positioning the business
• How to monitor trends to shape the business to success
• A sample business model
• How to grow the business – making the business prosper.

Selling and Marketing

• A sample sales plan 
• How to reach the potential customers
• Promoting the business – publicity, website advertisements, mobile advertisements, other media.

The Product/Service Pricing Principles 

• Pricing a highly differentiated product/service
• Pricing an undifferentiated product/service
• Pricing a “Must Have” product/service
• Pricing a “Substitutable” product/service.

The Retiree’s Job Description as a Business Owner 

• Managing time as a business owner
• Decision making 
• Decision implementation 
• Delegation
• Managing meetings 
• Paper work.

Finding the Right People

• The art of recruiting
• Productivity culture
• Quality and safety culture.

Keeping the Company Legal

• How to go about a Partnership business, if one is being considered
• How to become a Merchant, if trading is being considered
• How to start a Production business, if manufacturing is being considered
• How to start a Service business, if service is being considered.

Locating the Business - the considerations.

Investment Guides

Investment specialists will be brought in to give investment orientation, current opportunities and guides to the participants. 

Health and Leisure

• Ageing gracefully.
• Balancing work and health.
• Health guideposts.

Who Should Attend

• We recommend that employees attend this workshop programme at least three years prior to retirement. By so doing, they are afforded the luxury of time to do everything necessary in good time.
• It’s essential that female employees or the partners of male employees attend before their  pension age even if they intend to work past this age.
• If they don’t, they risk losing lots of money to  pension by failing to have paid sufficient national insurance contributions.
• We do urge employers to allow partners, other family members or a friend to accompany the retiree. This is because retirement will affect all those they interact with. Whether family or friends, our pre-retirement workshop course has various topics that will interest everyone.

Date
18th April 2023 - 20th April 2023

Both leadership and management in the 21st Century are becoming increasingly more complex. Typically, organizations in both the public and private sectors are facing changes driven by political, economic, sociological, technological, legal and environmental issues.

In order to successfully meet these challenges organizations, need to ensure that their leaders and managers at all levels have a comprehensive understanding of their roles, goals and required competencies. This Leadership and Management Skills training course is focused on meeting this requirement.

Course objectives

You will learn about:

• The range of 21st Century competencies
• The need to think strategically
• The principles of managing change
• How to approach and solve problems creatively
• Critical aspects of teamwork
• The process of motivating yourself and others
• Methods for managing conflict
• Techniques for dealing with difficult staff
• Enhance trust, communicate honestly, and establish a positive climate
• Champion change in the contemporary workplace
• Navigate multi-generational and diverse teams
• Build bridges of understanding in chaotic environments

Course outlines

• Introducing
• Identifying key 21st Century leadership challenges
• The focus of great leadership
• Assessing Your Readiness for 21st Century Leadership
• Choosing a new identity
• Revisiting your personal leadership identity
• Challenging your assumptions and perceptions
• Reaching your maximum potential
• Evaluating your scope for growth
• Raising the bar for yourself and others
• Creating Engagement in the Contemporary Workplace
• Creating a positive team dynamic
• Being transparent, open and honest
• Expanding your thinking from your head to your heart
• Moving decision making nearer to the action
• Sharing power through a distributed leadership model
• Building high employee engagement
• Identifying and utilizing drivers for engagement
• Leading rather than managing behaviors
• Overcoming barriers to commitment
• Instilling excellence through learning, sharing and growing
• Creating a Climate of Trust in the Digital Age
• Breaking through technology filters
• Recognizing the limitations of digital communications
• Creating a higher level of openness to counter digital limits
• Re-establishing human-to-human connectivity
• Prioritizing relationship building and collaboration
• Restoring trust in a low-trust climate
• Countering the damaging effects of technology
• Proactively leading through trust
• Championing Change in a VUCA (Volatile/Uncertain/Complex/Ambiguous) World
• Pushing beyond the comfort zone of outdated leadership models
• Moving your organization into unchartered territory
• Inviting diverse perspectives to create commitment to change
• Broadening options for leading change and supporting people
• Making judgment calls that move beyond data and leveraging intuition
• Managing the tension that dilemmas create
• Navigating Multi-Generational and Diverse Teams
• Leveraging diversity to foster growth, strength and innovation
• Developing a global mindset to bridge cultural differences
• Building successful relationships across differences in style, culture and generation
• Structuring team interactions
• Embracing multi-disciplinary teams
• Exposing biases, assumptions and blind spots
• Creating purposeful teams
• Nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace
• Building Bridges to the New VUCA (Vision/Understanding/Clarity/Agility)
• Responding to VUCA through adaptive leadership
• Communicating clearly with specific intent
• Gaining fresh perspectives and staying flexible
• Seeking the right solutions through the right questions
• Applying a new mindset to lead in turbulent times
• Practicing mindfulness for calmness and clarity
• Demonstrating social intelligence
• Learning from chaos, setbacks and successes
• Powering Up for 21st Century leadership
• Assessing your new leadership competence
• Identifying what you’ve learned and still need to learn
• Crafting your leadership Effectiveness blueprint
• Mapping your leadership journey
• Balancing between producing and leading
• Creating a legacy of excellence

Who should attend?

Managers, business professionals, and individuals who have decided to master the tools and tactics of adaptive leadership in a world where change has become the only constant.

Methodology

This course features the use of interactive exercises in order to allow participants to develop strategies that will help them improve their competencies in adaptive leadership. The course also relies on the analysis of case studies and real-life examples from the business world.

ACCOMMODATION:

This Conference is non-residential. Participants are to lodge in hotels of their choice near the conference centre. A list of these Hotels will be provided on request.

Date
4th April 2023 - 7th April 2023