The ongoing police pension crisis in Nigeria, which has sparked protests at the National Assembly, has prompted the Senate and House leadership to convene for urgent discussions.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Hon. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi during Wednesday’s plenary.
Key points of the motion include:
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Acknowledging Police Sacrifices: Onuakalusi highlighted that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is the nation’s foremost internal security agency, whose officers serve under hazardous and life-threatening conditions to maintain law, order, and peace.
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Pension Inequity: Retired police officers are subjected to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), unlike Armed Forces and intelligence personnel who enjoy special and well-structured pension arrangements.
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Economic Hardship: Delayed payments, meager lump-sum benefits, and irregular monthly stipends have left many retired officers in severe financial distress after decades of service.
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Ongoing Protests: Scores of retired officers have been protesting at the National Assembly entrance for nearly two months, sleeping outdoors while seeking attention, creating national embarrassment and highlighting the urgency of intervention.
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Effect on Serving Officers: The plight of retirees has adversely affected the morale of serving police personnel, threatening effective policing and internal security delivery.
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Proposed Solution: Establishing a Nigerian Police Pension Board through a distinct Special Pension Scheme to ensure timely payment of benefits, restore dignity, and motivate officers.
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Equity with Other Services: Similar welfare reforms have been successfully implemented for the Armed Forces, Customs Service, and intelligence agencies, making the case for police reforms both equitable and urgent.
The motion was passed after consultation with chairmen of the relevant committees, indicating the Senate’s and House leadership’s to address the crisis and find a lasting solution for retired police officers.
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