Nigerian Military Insurance Premiums Unpaid for Years

The Nigerian government has not paid insurance premiums for military and police personnel, leading to a backlog of unpaid claims that stretches from 2010 to 2023. This situation has left approximately 6,000 families of fallen officers without financial protection.

The Pension Reform Act 2014 mandates that every employer, including the federal government, maintain a group life insurance policy for employees, covering at least three times their annual salary. However, the government has failed to fulfill this obligation, as highlighted by former Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who inherited a 13-year backlog of unsettled insurance claims.

His predecessor, Usman Alkali Baba, disclosed that the lack of funds has contributed to this issue. Families of deceased officers, such as those affected by banditry in Zamfara, face significant hardships, including financial distress and the inability to access insurance payouts.

Despite a substantial defense budget allocation, the government has not prioritized the payment of these premiums.