KEY POINTS
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Omoyele Sowore led a protest in Abuja with retired police officers over poor pensions and welfare.
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Protesters demanded at least ₦500,000 monthly salaries and exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
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Retired officers plan to picket the National Assembly and Force Headquarters if demands are ignored.
Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore, led a protest on Monday in Abuja alongside retired police officers and civil rights activists, calling for urgent reforms in the welfare and pension systems of Nigerian police personnel.
The demonstration, held near the National Assembly complex, drew scores of aging ex-police officers and concerned citizens carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Pay police a living wage,” “Pensions for Police Officers,” “End Police Slavery,” and “Dignity for Those in Uniform.”
The retired officers expressed deep frustration over what they described as decades of neglect and inhumane treatment, especially after serving the country diligently for up to 35 years.
“No policeman should earn less than N500,000 monthly. That’s about $300, and that’s nothing,” said Sowore. “We are saying enough is enough. We are here to talk about better conditions of service for men in service, those who are retired, and even for their family members.”
Pension crisis continues to spark national concern
Sowore further criticized the current Contributory Pension Scheme, which he said has left many retired police officers in penury. He called for their removal from the scheme, echoing the demands of the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers.
According to the union, retired personnel should be returned to the Defined Benefits Scheme, which existed before the controversial pension reforms. They claim the contributory model has impoverished thousands of officers, depriving them of the means to live in dignity after retirement.
“How can you serve the country for 35 years, and you go home with N2 million? That’s unacceptable,” Sowore added.
The retired officers plan to picket the National Assembly before marching to the Force Headquarters if their demands are not met.
In Nigeria, police officers have long faced difficult service conditions, including low pay, inadequate housing, and limited access to medical care. Pension administration has become a major sticking point, especially for those who retired after the 2004 pension reform which placed most federal employees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Several advocacy groups and analysts have warned that the worsening welfare of police personnel could affect national security, as demoralized officers may be less motivated to carry out their duties or may be susceptible to corrupt influences.
Meanwhile, the federal government has yet to respond formally to the demands, but insiders say discussions are ongoing within relevant ministries to address the grievances
