Retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force staged a high-profile protest in the nation’s capital on Monday, urging President Bola Tinubu to sign the Police Exit Bill into law; a move they say is critical for their survival.
The bill, which was passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025, and transmitted to the Presidency on March 16, 2026, seeks to officially exempt the police from the current contributory pension framework.
The protesters, operating under the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, expressed deep resentment toward the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), labeling it as fraudulent, inhumane, and exploitative. National Coordinator, CSP Raphael Irowainu (Retd.), argued that the police are being unfairly treated, noting that other critical security agencies, such as the military and the Department of State Services (DSS), have already been removed from the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) oversight.
The retirees also shared stories of receiving as little as ₦24,000 monthly, an amount they described as insulting for high-ranking former officials, like Assistant Superintendents and Commissioners of Police. One officer highlighted the irony of spending a career protecting the nation only to retire without the means to own a house or provide for a family. The retirees insisted that the immediate signing of the bill would allow them access to their full entitlements, enabling them to invest in their futures rather than living in perpetual penury.
This latest demonstration marks an escalation in the ongoing push for pension reform within Nigeria’s security sector. As the protest adds to a growing series of welfare-related grievances, all eyes are now on the Presidency to see if the Police Exit Bill will receive the necessary executive assent. For the retired officers, the situation has reached a breaking point, with leaders of the forum declaring the movement a “do or die” struggle for the dignity and well-being of those who have dedicated their lives to national security.
