Retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday staged a protest at the Presidential Villa, blocking one of its gates as they demanded urgent reforms to their pension structure.
The protest, organised under the umbrella of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, drew dozens of retirees and family members who voiced frustration over their continued inclusion in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they described as “fraudulent, illegal, inhumane, and obnoxious.”
Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, the demonstrators called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately assent to the Police Exit Bill, a piece of legislation they believe would significantly improve their welfare.
The bill, which was passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025, and transmitted to the Presidency on March 16, 2026, seeks to remove police personnel from the CPS framework. Protesters argue that the current system has subjected many retired officers to hardship, delayed payments, and financial insecurity.
Raphael Irowainu, National Coordinator of the forum and the protest’s leader, said the continued application of the CPS to police retirees has had dire consequences for their livelihoods.
According to him, the proposed law would exempt serving and retired officers from what he described as a “slavery and untimely death-inducing pension scheme,” replacing it with a more sustainable and responsive pension arrangement tailored to the peculiar demands of police service.
The protesters warned that failure to sign the bill into law could trigger more demonstrations across the country, as frustration continues to mount within the ranks of retired personnel.
Monday’s protest, according to the retirees, was intended to highlight persistent challenges affecting their welfare, particularly payment delays and disparities in pension entitlements.
