Tinubu Moves to Quell Pension Protests
By IDNN Government & Economic Policy Desk
Following weeks of protests by retired police officers and calls for reform across labour circles, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to implement key welfare upgrades for Nigeria’s struggling retirees.
According to a statement by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu issued a direct order to:
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Implement long-overdue pension increases
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Establish a minimum pension guarantee
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Roll out free healthcare access for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS)
PenCom DG Briefs Tinubu — Sets Plan in Motion
During the meeting at Aso Rock, PenCom Director General Omolola Oloworaran briefed the President on:
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Value protection of pension funds amid inflation
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Upcoming diaspora-focused foreign currency contribution scheme
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Ongoing police pension crisis
Tinubu backed the reforms, saying:
“Security personnel who serve the nation deserve to retire with dignity and peace of mind.”
He urged PenCom to act swiftly and resolve the long-standing grievances plaguing the police and other uniformed retirees.
Retired Police Officers: “We Appreciate It — But We Want OUT”
Despite the announcement, retired police officers under the CPS immediately rejected the intervention, demanding total withdrawal from the scheme.
“We are very happy that our cries reached the President… but we want our outright exit,” said Buba Danjuma, spokesperson for the retirees.
They argued that the CPS is unfair, inadequate, and exploitative, especially when compared to pension systems for the military and DSS—who have already exited the CPS structure.
“Why should we remain when others have left? We want the same dignity,” Danjuma added.
Forceful Protests Brought Tinubu to the Table
The directive follows months of pressure:
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Retired officers had previously blocked the Force Headquarters in Abuja during a July 21 protest
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Carried placards calling for CPS exit
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Released multiple communiques warning of “systemic pension injustice”
Policy Divide Emerges: Reform vs Exit
While Tinubu’s directive focuses on improving the CPS, retirees insist the scheme is fundamentally flawed. The divide sets up a deeper policy dilemma:
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Can the scheme be reformed enough to retain trust?
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Or should security agencies be permanently exempted?
As of now, the police veterans aren’t budging.
The Bigger Picture: Pension Reform or Policy Reversal?
Nigeria’s pension system has long been a flashpoint. The move by Tinubu may please some stakeholders—but for many security retirees, the fight isn’t for healthcare. It’s for full disengagement.
What happens next could redefine Nigeria’s public sector pension landscape.
Graphic Caption:
Retired police officers protest in Abuja, rejecting new CPS reforms announced by Tinubu. Their demand remains unchanged: full exit from the scheme.
Footnote:
This is IDNN. Independent. Digital. Uncompromising.
