Retired police pension complaints have intensified as former officers protested in Ibadan, Oyo State, over what they described as inadequate retirement benefits, with some stating they received about ₦1.5 million after serving for 35 years in the Nigeria Police Force.
The Contributory Pension Scheme, managed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), was introduced to provide structured retirement benefits for public sector workers, including police personnel.
However, police retirees have repeatedly raised concerns over the adequacy of benefits under the scheme. Other security agencies such as the military have been removed from the contributory system and operate alternative pension arrangements, a point frequently cited by retired officers in their demands.
The protest in Ibadan reflects a continuation of similar demonstrations held in Abuja and other parts of the country, where retired personnel have called for reforms to the pension structure.
At the protest held at the Oyo State Police Headquarters in Eleyele, participants highlighted retired police pension complaints over both lump-sum benefits and monthly payments.
A retired Superintendent of Police, Joseph Alabi, said, “For over two years now, we have been on this issue. Retired Nigerian police officers are facing difficulties.”
He added, “As a retired SP, I receive about N70,000 monthly, which is challenging for basic upkeep and family responsibilities.”
Another retiree, Omotayo Salaudeen, who served for 35 years, questioned the adequacy of gratuities paid to former officers. “How can someone serve for 35 years and receive about N1.5m or N2m? It is difficult to manage under such conditions,” he said.
Protesters also demanded removal from the contributory pension scheme, arguing that it does not adequately reflect the nature of police service. “Air Force, Navy, military and other agencies have been removed from this scheme, but the police are still there,” Alabi said.
They urged the President to assent to a bill passed by the National Assembly that would allow the police to exit the scheme and establish a dedicated pension structure.
“All we are asking is for the President to assent to the bill so that we can have a system that caters to both retired and serving officers,” he added. The rise in retired police pension complaints highlights broader concerns about welfare and post-service conditions for security personnel in Nigeria.
Low retirement benefits may affect morale among serving officers and raise questions about long-term sustainability of the current pension framework for security agencies.
The situation also underscores ongoing debates about equity in pension administration across different arms of Nigeria’s security services.
