Inside Nigerian Police veterans’ struggle for dignity, justice

…Why Tinubu under pressure to sign exit bill amid mounting outrage over police welfare

In the heart of Abuja, a growing wave of frustration among retired police officers is once again forcing Nigeria to confront an uncomfortable question: how does a nation repay those who spent decades enforcing its laws and safeguarding its streets?

For many veterans of the Nigeria Police Force, retirement has not brought relief or dignity, but instead, what they describe as neglect, financial hardship, and a pension system they believe falls far short of the sacrifices they made in service to the country.

Their latest protest at the Presidential Villa is the most visible expression yet of a long-running battle over welfare, fairness, and recognition.

At the centre of their demands is a call for the Federal Government to remove the police from the contributory pension scheme and implement an alternative structure they say would better reflect the realities of their service.

For them, the issue goes beyond policy, it is about respect for years spent in uniform, often under difficult and dangerous conditions.

As tensions rise, the retirees insist their agitation is not merely about money, but about dignity, justice, and the promise that those who serve the nation will not be forgotten when their duty ends.

Lawrence Alobi, a former Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, criticised Nigeria’s pension system for retired police officers, describing it as unjust, discriminatory, and damaging to morale within the force.

Speaking in an interview with BusinessDay, Alobi lamented what he called the country’s failure to recognise the sacrifices of police personnel, warning that the situation reflects a decline in national values and security priorities.

“The country does not appreciate the value of the police,” he said, adding that Nigeria’s internal security architecture is being undermined by poor welfare for officers who have dedicated decades of service.

Alobi expressed concern that many retired officers, after serving up to 35 years, are left with meagre pensions under the contributory pension scheme.

He contrasted their situation with that of political office holders, who often receive substantial lifelong benefits after shorter periods in public service.

According to him, the disparity is both morally and socially unacceptable.

“These are people who sacrificed their lives, their time, and their families. Today, they are being treated like paupers. It is a shame to this country,” he said.

He further accused political actors of neglecting the police institution, alleging that vested interests have weakened the force while prioritising personal gain.

The former police chief joined growing calls for the removal of the Nigeria Police Force from the contributory pension scheme, arguing that other security agencies have already been exempted.

“Why should the police be different?” he asked, insisting that fairness and equity demand equal treatment across all security institutions.

Alobi urged the Federal Government to act decisively by approving legislative measures that would address the grievances of retired officers.

He appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate commitment to the welfare of police personnel.

“We have made sacrifices for this country. The nation must also sacrifice for us. That is the principle of fairness,” he said.

He also indicated that protests by retired officers could persist if their demands remain unmet.

Chidi Omeje, an Abuja-based security analyst, also weighed in on the controversy, stressing the need for authorities to listen to affected retirees.

Omeje argued that the collective dissatisfaction of pensioners should not be ignored.

“If those directly affected are saying the system is not working for them, then the government must listen,” he said.

He questioned why authorities would insist on maintaining a system widely rejected by its beneficiaries, suggesting that transparency and dialogue are needed to address concerns.

Retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday staged a protest in Abuja, converging on the Presidential Villa with their families to demand an end to their inclusion in the contributory pension scheme, which they described as “fraudulent, illegal and inhumane.”

Operating under the umbrella of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, the protesters called on Tinubu to urgently assent to the Police Pension Exit Bill already passed by the National Assembly.

The demonstration reflects growing frustration among retired police personnel, who argue that the current pension structure leaves many of them in financial hardship after decades of service.

Raphael Iruwaino (CSP Rtd), National Coordinator of the forum, said the contributory pension scheme has failed to meet the needs of retired officers and has instead subjected them to poor living conditions.

He argued that the system, originally adopted from Chile, was misapplied in Nigeria by including security agencies, contrary to its implementation in its country of origin.

“Security agencies in Chile were not part of that scheme, but in Nigeria, all were included initially.

“Later, during reforms, the military and intelligence agencies were exempted, leaving only the police behind,” he said.

Iruwaino provided figures to illustrate what he described as the inadequacy of the scheme, stating that many officers receive lump sums and monthly pensions that do not reflect their years of service.

According to him, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) may receive about N1.5 million as a lump sum after 35 years of service, with monthly pensions ranging between N25,000 and N30,000.

“Senior officers, including Deputy Superintendents and Chief Superintendents, receive only slightly higher amounts”, he added..

He warned that such conditions not only affect retirees but also have implications for national security, as serving officers witness the struggles of their predecessors.

“This practice undermines morale and ultimately weakens the system meant to safeguard the country,” he said.

The forum said the Police Pension Exit Bill was passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025, but took months before being transmitted to the presidency.

While alleging attempts by vested interests within the pension system to stall the process, Iruwaino maintained that the focus should remain on securing presidential assent to the bill.

He expressed confidence that President Tinubu would act in favour of the retirees, citing his past support for police welfare during his tenure as Lagos State governor.

Addressing concerns about sustainability, the retired officers said the proposed legislation includes provisions for the establishment of a dedicated Police Pension Board to manage retirement benefits outside the contributory scheme.

Iruwaino emphasised that investing in police welfare is essential for national stability, noting that security is capital-intensive and requires sustained government commitment.