Retired Nigerian Police Officers To Stage Nationwide Protest Over Pension Woes
Retired police officers across Nigeria, under the banner of the Union of Retired Police Officers, have announced plans for a nationwide peaceful protest on July 21, 2025, to demand urgent reforms to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Dubbed the “Mother of All Peaceful Protests,” the demonstration aims to highlight the severe economic hardships faced by retirees due to inadequate pension benefits.
The announcement was made by the Kaduna State chapter of the union, following a monthly meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess in Kaduna. In a joint statement, Chairman Mannir M. Lawal Zaria, a retired Chief Superintendent of Police, and Vice Chairman Danlami Maigamo, a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police, expressed frustration over the Federal Government’s failure to address longstanding pension grievances. The retirees are calling for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to be excluded from the CPS, which they claim has led to financial distress, depression, and an alarming rise in deaths among retired officers.
A History of Unanswered Appeals
The planned protest follows a series of unsuccessful attempts to engage the government. Between February 24 and March 3, 2025, retirees from the Kaduna and Bauchi state chapters protested at the National Assembly in Abuja, submitting petitions to key offices, including the chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Police Affairs and the Director of the Department of State Services. Despite these efforts, the union has expressed deep disappointment over the lack of response, particularly regarding the Police Pension Board Bill, which underwent a public hearing on November 19, 2024.
The retirees’ grievances stem from what they describe as meagre pension payments under the CPS. For instance, a retired Superintendent of Police recently made headlines after rejecting a ₦2 million pension payout for 35 years of service, calling it “an insult.” Similarly, a retired Commissioner of Police reportedly receives just ₦80,000 monthly, while a Chief Superintendent gets ₦35,000—amounts deemed insufficient to meet basic living costs amid Nigeria’s rising inflation.
Systemic Issues and Calls for Reform
The CPS, introduced in 2004 to ensure secure retirement benefits for public servants, has been widely criticised by police retirees for its inadequacy. Unlike the Nigerian Army, National Intelligence Agency, and Department of State Services, which operate under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), the NPF remains bound by the CPS, managed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). Retirees argue that this system fails to account for the unique demands of police work, leaving them in poverty. A retired Deputy Inspector General, Adedayo Adeoye, recently urged President Bola Tinubu to establish a dedicated Police Pension Commission to address these disparities.
The union has also raised concerns about the alarming mortality rates among retirees, attributing deaths to poverty and lack of access to healthcare. “Within one week, seven retirees were buried due to extreme poverty,” Lawal Zaria lamented, highlighting the dire situation faced by many, including inability to pay for children’s education or medical expenses.
Commitment to Peaceful Advocacy
The retirees have stressed that the upcoming protest will be strictly peaceful, distancing themselves from any groups planning violent demonstrations. “As law-abiding citizens, we shall continue to pursue our demand through peaceful means until our voices are heard,” the union stated. This commitment follows a history of orderly protests, including demonstrations in 2021 and 2024 at the National Assembly, where retirees carried placards with messages like “CPS is a death sentence against police” and “NPF pension defrauding police retirees, SOS.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has acknowledged these challenges and hosted an interactive session with retirees and stakeholders on February 11, 2025, at the Police Resource Centre in Abuja. He reiterated the NPF’s commitment to creating a sustainable pension framework that ensures dignity for retired officers. However, with no tangible progress on the Police Pension Board Bill, retirees remain resolute in their call for action.
A Broader Context of Reform
The protest comes amid broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s policing system, including the Federal Government’s initiative to establish smart police stations equipped with advanced technology. However, retirees argue that such advancements must be matched by improved welfare for those who have served. The House of Representatives’ ongoing investigation into alleged corruption within the NPF further underscores the need for systemic reform to restore trust and accountability.
As the July 21 protest approaches, the retirees hope to draw national and international attention to their plight. “We served our country wholeheartedly, risking our lives. We deserve better,” said Felicia Moses, a retired Superintendent who represented Nigeria in international peacekeeping missions but now struggles with a ₦25,000 monthly pension.
