According to a report by News Central on X on July 21, 2015, retired police officers, civil rights activists, and widows of fallen personnel gathered at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja today, demanding better welfare for security personnel. The protest, led by Omoyele Sowore, highlighted systemic issues within Nigeria’s pension system for police officers.
DSP Godwin Tom, a retired officer, voiced his frustration, stating, “I served 35 good years, I was given 1.7 million Naira… I retired in 2018, since then, I was given 40,000 every month. What can 40,000 naira do?” His remarks is said to underscore the financial inadequacy many retirees face after decades of service.
The protest is said to come amidst ongoing criticisms of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), managed by NPF Pensions Limited. Despite government approval for police officers to remain under the CPS, activists argue that current Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) have failed to address the unique needs of the force. “Although the Contributory Pension Scheme currently addresses several of the shortcomings of previous Nigerian pension schemes, current PFAs have been unable to fully address the peculiarities of the Police Force,” a statement from NPF Pensions Limited’s website reads.
Activist Adeyanju Deji emphasized the broader impact, saying, “Have you seen any police officer that looks happy? They all look angry because they are being underpaid. How can somebody serve the country for 35 years… and he leaves with 1.5 million Naira?” The demonstration calls for urgent reforms to honor the sacrifices of police officers with improved welfare packages.
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