KEY POINTS
- Retired military personnel threaten a protest in Abuja on October 15 over disputed pension adjustments.
- Veterans demand a review of pension calculations, payment of arrears and clarification of the adjustment formula.
- The coalition says it will pursue dialogue but proceed with the protest if its concerns remain unresolved.
Retired Nigerian military personnel have threatened to stage a peaceful protest at the Military Pensions Board (MPB) in Abuja on Thursday, October 15, 2026, over a disputed pension adjustment formula and delays in paying outstanding entitlements.
The Coalition of Concerned Veterans (CCV), which comprises several veterans’ associations, said it would mobilise retired military personnel from across the country if the board failed to provide a clear and satisfactory response to their complaints before the planned demonstration.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, Air Vice Marshal Mikail Abdulraheem, the coalition requested an urgent review of the pension adjustment formula, an audit of affected payments, the correction of discrepancies and the settlement of outstanding arrears.
The letter, signed by Blessing Alabala, director of the CCV/REMENAF National Headquarters Liaison Office in Abuja, was also copied to the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, among other officials.
Alabala said the coalition preferred to resolve the matter through dialogue but would proceed with the protest if the authorities failed to address its concerns.
The planned demonstration is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at the Military Pensions Board in Abuja.
Veterans Question Pension Adjustment Formula
The dispute centres on concerns that the method used to adjust pensions for retired military personnel differs from the percentage-based salary increases reportedly approved for serving members of the Armed Forces.
According to the coalition, the reported salary adjustments were 80 per cent for personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant, 50 per cent for those from Warrant Officer to Colonel, and 30 per cent for personnel above the rank of Colonel, including Brigadier-General and equivalent ranks.
The veterans said the differences between these reported increases and the pension adjustment method had raised questions about how the government’s approvals were being implemented for retirees.
They also pointed to the difficulties experienced in 2024, when delays in implementing approved increases and settling outstanding entitlements reportedly contributed to dissatisfaction and protests among military pensioners.
The coalition said the experience had heightened concerns about the possibility of similar problems arising from the 2026 adjustment.
The coalition said information attributed to the chairman of the Military Pensions Board at a consultative meeting on October 9 indicated that the formula being applied was based on years of service and military rank.
Under the reported formula, pension adjustments begin at 40 per cent for personnel with 10 years of service, with an additional two percentage points for each extra year served. The adjustment reportedly reaches a maximum of 90 per cent for personnel with 35 years of service.
The coalition also said Major-General and equivalent ranks and above were reportedly entitled to a 100 per cent adjustment under the formula.
