Retired Nigerian Police Officers Protest In Abuja Over Unpaid Pensions.
Hundreds of retired Nigerian police officers took to the streets of Abuja on Monday, 21 July 2025, to protest the non-payment of their pensions and demand urgent reforms to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). The demonstration, described by organisers as the “mother of all peaceful protests,” saw retirees from across Nigeria’s 36 states converge on the capital, voicing their frustration over what they call an exploitative and unjust pension system.
The protest began at the Louis Edet Force Headquarters before moving to the National Assembly complex, where demonstrators, many of whom are elderly, braved heavy rain to make their demands heard. Carrying placards with messages such as “35 Years of Service, 3 Million Naira Retirement? Shame!” and “Remove Police from CPS!”, the retirees expressed their dismay at receiving meagre pensions after decades of service. A viral video of a retired Superintendent of Police lamenting a ₦3 million retirement payout after 35 years of service reportedly sparked the latest wave of unrest.
Led by the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers (NURPO) and supported by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, the protesters called for the immediate removal of police retirees from the CPS and the establishment of a dedicated Police Pension Board. They argued that the current scheme, introduced in 2004, leaves many retirees in financial distress, with some receiving as little as ₦18,000 to ₦75,000 monthly. “After 33 years of service, my total entitlement was less than ₦2.5 million. How does the government expect us to survive?” said Mannir M. Lawal, NURPO’s chairman, during the protest.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate, described the treatment of retired officers as “a national disgrace,” accusing the government of systemic neglect. “It’s shameful that men and women who risked their lives for this country are left with crumbs,” he told reporters. The demonstrators also demanded better welfare for serving officers, including decent salaries and improved working conditions.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) acknowledged the legitimacy of the retirees’ grievances, with Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stating that the leadership is engaging with the National Pension Commission and the Ministry of Police Affairs to address the concerns. However, tensions arose when security operatives initially blocked protesters from entering the Force Headquarters, prompting accusations of suppression. Despite this, the protest remained largely peaceful, with police officers directing traffic to avoid disruptions.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has urged the retirees to reconsider further protests, describing them as “ill-timed” and noting ongoing efforts to reform the pension system. Meanwhile, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) appealed for dialogue, warning against the politicisation of the issue. Some critics, however, have accused certain groups of exploiting the retirees’ plight for political gain, a claim Sowore dismissed as an attempt to deflect from years of government inaction.
The retirees vowed to continue their agitation until their demands are met, including the passage of legislation for a Police Pension Board, similar to arrangements for the military and intelligence agencies. Previous protests, including a sit-out at the National Assembly earlier this year, have yielded little progress, leaving many retirees feeling ignored. “We are dying in misery,” one protester said. “We demand justice and dignity after years of serving this country.”
As the demonstration gains momentum, it underscores the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s pension system and the urgent need for reforms to ensure fair treatment for those who have dedicated their lives to public service.
