Concerns over retired police pension payments have intensified as former officers in Oyo State said they receive about N1.5 million after 35 years of service, describing the benefits as inadequate for post-retirement survival. The grievances were raised during a protest at the Oyo State Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, where retirees called for urgent reforms to the pension system.
The issue of retired police pension has remained a longstanding concern within Nigeria’s security sector, particularly under the Contributory Pension Scheme managed by the National Pension Commission.
Police personnel are currently part of this scheme, unlike some other security agencies that operate under separate pension arrangements. This distinction has been a recurring point of contention among retired officers, who argue that the system does not adequately reflect the nature of their service.
The Nigeria Police Force, established as the country’s primary law enforcement agency, plays a central role in internal security, making welfare concerns among its personnel a matter of national relevance.
During the protest, retirees stated that the retired police pension benefits received after decades of service are insufficient to meet basic needs. Some officers reported receiving about N1.5 million as total retirement benefits after 35 years of service.
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 that his monthly pension stands at about N70,000, which he described as inadequate for family responsibilities and daily living expenses.
Another retiree, Omotayo Salaudeen, who served for 35 years, questioned the adequacy of the benefits, stating: “How can someone serve for 35 years and receive about N1.5m or N2m?”
The protesters also called for the removal of police personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme, noting that other security agencies such as the military are not included in the same framework.
They urged the President to assent to a bill already passed by the National Assembly, which would allow the establishment of a separate pension structure tailored to the needs of police personnel.
The retired police pension concerns raise broader questions about welfare, morale, and sustainability within Nigeria’s security architecture. Analysts note that poor retirement conditions may affect the motivation of serving officers and potentially influence overall performance.
The situation also highlights structural issues within the pension system, particularly regarding its ability to accommodate the unique demands of security sector employment.
Public attention to the issue may increase pressure on policymakers to review pension frameworks and address disparities between different security agencies.
