Despite fresh directives from President Bola Tinubu aimed at improving their welfare, retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme have reiterated their demand for total removal from the scheme.
On Wednesday, the President directed the immediate rollout of free healthcare access for low-income retirees under the CPS and ordered the implementation of long-overdue pension increases.
He also mandated the Director General of the National Pension Commission, Omolola Oloworaran, to urgently resolve the longstanding police pension issue, stressing that members of the police force who served and protected the nation deserved to retire with dignity and peace of mind.
The retirees, while appreciating the gesture, said the only acceptable solution was their complete exit from the scheme.
“We are very happy that our cries have reached the President, and we appreciate his directives.
“However, what we want is our outright exit from the scheme. If we remain under CPS, we will still remain caged,” said the spokesperson for the protesting retirees, Buba Danjuma.
Retired police officers under the CPS had earlier staged multiple protests in recent months, including a demonstration on July 21, 2025, where they blocked the entrance to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, demanding their exit from the CPS.
Tinubu on Wednesday mandated the immediate implementation of pension increases and the rollout of free healthcare access for low-income retirees under the scheme.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, noted that the directive formed part of the administration’s broader social protection agenda.
“The President directed the expedited rollout of the free healthcare initiative for low-income retirees under the CPS, and called for the immediate implementation of pension increases and a minimum pension guarantee,” the statement said.
Tinubu also instructed PenCom to resolve issues surrounding police pensions, stressing that security personnel must be allowed to retire with dignity.
The PenCom DG had earlier briefed the President on ongoing efforts to ensure the value preservation of pension fund assets, especially in the face of inflation and macroeconomic pressures, as well as plans to introduce foreign currency contributions to enable Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in the pension system.
“President Tinubu strongly supported the reforms, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and protection for ordinary Nigerians.
“During the briefing, the DG updated the President on a suite of transformative pension initiatives to enhance retiree welfare and expand the Pension Scheme’s reach,” the statement noted.
Speaking after the announcement, Danjuma acknowledged the President’s intervention but maintained that their ultimate demand remained total withdrawal from the scheme.
Danjuma cited the example of other security agencies, including the Department of State Services and the military, which have exited the scheme, questioning why police retirees should be treated differently.
“The DSS and military have all left and didn’t bother to remain under the CPS because of its many disadvantages. Why should we remain?
“We appreciate the President, but we want him to do everything possible to get us out of the scheme. We don’t want to remain there anymore,” he added.
The Punch
