The Nigerian police authorities have instructed all officers, including Inspectors and rank-and-file personnel who were enlisted before the Pension Fund Administrators (PFA) were established on June 30, 2004, to submit their details.
According to an urgent police wireless message obtained exclusively by newsmen on Sunday, the affected officers are required to provide their information at the admin office of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Headquarters in Abuja no later than Monday, February 24, 2025.
They are required to submit the following details: serial number, name, gender, date of retirement, pension pin, PFA name, salary structure as of June 30, 2004, and their grade level and step as of 2004.
The memo reads, “Pension scheme X as matter of urgency X all officers X Inspectors X rank and file X enlisted before the PFA come in to existence on 30 June 2004 X down ward X to submit their details to admin office urgently X on or before Monday being 24/02/2025 unfailingly for onward to pension office FCT Police Command Headquarters Abuja X under the following heading X S/No X Name X Gender X Date of Retirement X Pension Pin X PFA Name X salary structure as at 30 June 2004 X grade level and step as at 2004 X You’re further warned to make sure that all information provided are correct or you have yourself to be blame X above for your strict compliance.”
In early February, newsmen revealed that President Bola Tinubu pledged to improve the inadequate pension system for Nigerian police officers, acknowledging that their current earnings are insufficient in light of the country’s economic realities.
This announcement was made by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun during a recent interactive session with retired police officers and stakeholders of the Nigeria Police Pensions, held at the Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja.
The police chief mentioned that a new proposal to enhance the force’s pension system had been submitted to President Tinubu.
Egbetokun disclosed that during a recent meeting, Tinubu agreed that retired police officers in the country deserved improved earnings.
The IGP further mentioned that the force had requested an annual intervention amount from the government to enhance the welfare of their personnel.
On January 30, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore joined the ‘Egbetokun Must Go’ protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja, affirming his stance against oppression.
This followed his release on bail set at ₦10 million, with one surety of the same amount, and the requirement to surrender his passport. He was accused of referring to Egbetokun as the ‘illegal IGP’.
Sowore, addressing the crowd, vowed that no intimidation would silence him.
Standing in solidarity with aggrieved police officers, Sowore explained that their welfare must be prioritised.
“If it means organising a nationwide protest for their rights, we are ready. We are not doing this to patronise the police, but as employees of the Federal Government, they deserve housing, quality education for their children, and salaries that reflect their crucial role. A banker they protect earns more than them, yet without the police, banks cannot even open,” he said on the court premises.
The Nigerian police pension system has long been a subject of concern due to its perceived inadequacies. Historically, after dedicating 35 years of service, officers reportedly receive meager gratuities and pensions.
For instance, Assistant Superintendents to Superintendents of Police receive gratuities below ₦2 million and monthly pensions ranging from ₦20,000 to ₦35,000. Higher-ranking officers, such as Commissioners of Police, receive gratuities below ₦5 million and monthly pensions around ₦70,000.
In response to these challenges, there have been legislative efforts to exempt the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and establish a dedicated Police Pension Board under a Defined Benefits Scheme.
Proponents argue that this move would address the unique needs of police personnel. However, critics warn that such an exemption could impose a financial burden of approximately ₦3.5 trillion annually on the federal government.
The recent directive for officers enlisted before June 30, 2004, to submit their pension details may be part of ongoing efforts to reform and improve the pension system for the NPF.
