The Federal Government has introduced an Electronic Verification Management System for military retirees, aiming to streamline the process of accessing pensions, gratuities, and other benefits. This system will replace the traditional physical verification method conducted by the Military Pensions Board.
The shift to an electronic system comes in response to retirees’ grievances about the cumbersome nature of physical verification, which is particularly challenging for them due to their advanced age. Air Vice Marshal Paul Irumheson, the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, announced the launch of the system during a briefing with journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
Irumheson highlighted the difficulties associated with continuing the physical verification process, citing factors such as the elderly status of pensioners, high transportation costs, security risks during travel, and financial burdens for pensioners residing abroad. To address these challenges and maintain the integrity of the pension database, the board developed the Electronic Verification Management System.
The new system, accessible via a web-based platform, allows pensioners to complete their verification remotely using a mobile device. To initiate the process, the board will conduct a pilot test involving 300 pensioners from each state and the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled from February 19 to March 1, 2024.
Pensioners will need to download the Military Pensions Board Electronic Verification Application from either the Google Play Store (for Android users) or the AppStore (for iPhone users). Irumheson emphasized the importance of safeguarding personal information and cautioned against sharing ATM details, emphasizing that such information is unnecessary for the verification exercise.