President Bola Tinubu has ordered the enforcement of pension increases and the introduction of a minimum pension guarantee for retirees covered by the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), following a protest by retired police officers in Abuja.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a directive for the immediate implementation of pension increases, as well as the introduction of a minimum pension guarantee for Nigerian retirees currently enrolled under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). This decision comes in response to mounting concerns about the welfare of retired personnel, particularly following a protest staged by retired police officers in Abuja, who demanded better treatment and retirement benefits.
In addition to the pension reforms, the President has also ordered the rapid implementation of a nationwide free healthcare programme targeted at low-income retirees who often struggle to access affordable medical services after retirement.
The announcement was made public in a statement released on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. According to Onanuga, President Tinubu gave the directive after receiving a comprehensive briefing from the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Omolola Oloworaran. The meeting focused on the state of Nigeria’s pension system, the well-being of retirees, and strategic initiatives for reform.
President Tinubu responds to the police protest
During the meeting, President Tinubu expressed his deep concern over the persistent complaints from former police officers who feel neglected by the existing pension framework. He urged PenCom to urgently resolve the ongoing issues surrounding police pensions, emphasizing that individuals who have dedicated their careers to safeguarding the country should be entitled to a dignified and secure retirement.
“Our police officers put their lives on the line to maintain law and order. They deserve to retire in peace, with the assurance that their sacrifices are recognized and respected,” the President reportedly said.
In response, DG Omolola Oloworaran assured the President that PenCom is actively working to safeguard the value of pension funds, particularly amid rising inflation and economic uncertainty. She also revealed that PenCom is planning to introduce a system that will allow Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute to pension funds using foreign currencies, further expanding the reach and flexibility of the CPS.
Oloworaran further briefed the President on a range of proposed policy reforms, aimed at improving retiree welfare, enhancing transparency in pension fund administration, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the scheme. These reforms, she said, would also help strengthen the credibility of the pension system and build public trust.
President Tinubu welcomed the proposed reforms and reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian retiree is left behind, particularly those who served the nation in uniform or in low-income public service roles. He stressed the importance of inclusive growth and the need to protect the most vulnerable members of society, especially in their retirement years.
These new initiatives follow a recent protest in the Federal Capital Territory by retired police personnel, who took to the streets to demand improved welfare, fair pension payments, and inclusion in the new national minimum wage structure.
President Tinubu’s directives mark a significant step towards comprehensive pension reform in Nigeria, and signal his administration’s intention to address the long-standing grievances of retirees across the country.
