Retired Police Officers Demand Pension Reform by October

Retired police officers in Nigeria are demanding better retirement benefits, issuing an ultimatum to the Federal Government, the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), and the Inspector-General of Police. They have set a deadline of October 15, 2026, for fulfilling agreements on gratuity payments and pension enhancements.

Failure to meet this deadline will lead to a peaceful mass protest in Abuja on November 2, where they will demand their exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). This demand was articulated in a statement by retired Captain Mannir M. Lawal Zaria, the National Coordinator and Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter.

The retirees have been campaigning for a separate pension structure for police personnel, following several protests and negotiations, including a significant intervention by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in November 2025. Akpabio assured the retirees that legislative action would be taken to remove the police from the CPS, but the retirees are still awaiting tangible improvements in their pension benefits.