The reasons for the recent suspension of Mrs. Nellie Mayshak as the Director General of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) have been sketchy. Our reporter looks into the controversy that surrounds the process.

On Wednesday, March 16, 2016, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun ordered the suspension of Mrs. Nellie Mayshak over undisclosed reasons and a director from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has been appointed as acting Director General of the directorate.
Some reports said that she was suspended by the minister for allegedly diverting pension funds and earning N60 million as monthly salary. 

Our correspond has learnt that the letter conveying the suspension of Mrs. Nellie Mayshak did not specifically state why she had to be placed on suspension.
A source very close to Mrs. Mayshak told our reporter that the letter asked her to step aside for an investigation to be carried out without stating the nature of the probe.
“They didn’t accuse her of anything yet. They said they want to do an investigation but sensational media are already calling about N16 billion,” the source said.
On the N60 million monthly salaries that Mayshak allegedly earned, the source retorted, “What is wrong with the media? What do you think? You think there is any human being in this Nigeria who earns that kind of money? How can anybody think anybody earns N60 million in a month? Even a year, she does not earn N60 million, not to talk of a month.”
The source said a smear campaign has been ongoing to stop the verification of pensioners under the old defined benefit schemes masterminded by Mayshak as ghost workers are being flushed out of government’s payroll.
The source said PTAD’s salary is not as high as those working in the National Pension’s Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“Who approved the salary? Nobody can approve that kind of salary in Nigeria. Did the President approve that kind of salary or the National Salary, Incomes and Wages Commission? The salary comes from the budget office and can easily be verified by anyone who wants facts,” the source said.
On whether Mayshak diverted pensioners’ funds, the source said, “nobody has said that. You people should be very careful. Nobody is complaining about pension funds missing. Pension funds are not released to PTAD, so it cannot be missing.”