Retired police officers have raised concerns about what they describe as inadequate retirement benefits, noting that some receive as little as ₦1.5 million after 35 years of service.
They also demanded to be removed from the Contributory Pension Scheme managed by the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).
The retirees staged a protest at the Oyo State Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, expressing dissatisfaction with pension payments they say are too low to meet their needs after years of service.
Speaking during the protest, retired Superintendent of Police Joseph Alabi said many former officers are struggling financially due to their monthly pensions.
“For over two years, we have been pushing this issue. Retired Nigerian police officers are facing serious hardship,” he said. “As a retired SP, I receive about ₦70,000 monthly, which is barely enough for basic living expenses and family obligations.”
Alabi also questioned why police personnel remain under the contributory pension scheme while other security agencies operate under different systems.
“The Air Force, Navy, military, and other agencies have exited the scheme, but the police are still part of it,” he said.
He added that retirees are urging the President to sign a bill passed by the National Assembly that would allow the police to withdraw from the scheme and create a separate pension structure.
“All we are asking is for the President to assent to the bill so that both retired and serving officers can benefit from a more suitable system,” he said.
Another protester, retired Deputy Superintendent of Police Omotayo Salaudeen, who served for 35 years, also described his retirement benefits as insufficient.
“How can someone serve for 35 years and receive just ₦1.5 million or ₦2 million? It is very difficult to survive under such conditions,” he said, appealing for public support.
He added that many retirees are struggling to meet their basic needs.
Also speaking, retired electrical engineer Babatunde Oluwatoye, who joined the protest in solidarity, described the situation as troubling and called for government intervention.
“I was shocked to learn about this. Receiving less than ₦2 million after 35 years of service raises serious concerns about post-retirement welfare,” he said.
Oluwatoye also noted that the welfare of police personnel is closely tied to national security, as working conditions can affect morale.
“When officers are properly supported, it can improve their performance. Concerns about retirement benefits may negatively affect the motivation of those still in service,” he added.
The protesters said they would continue to pursue their demands through peaceful and lawful means.
The demonstration in Ibadan follows similar protests in other parts of the country, including Abuja, as retired police officers continue to call for pension reforms.
