Retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) are set to embark on a nationwide “mother of all peaceful protests” on Monday, July 21, 2025, to press their long-standing demand for exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The protest, primarily slated for the Federal Capital Territory and other states where prior notification has been given, underscores deep-seated grievances over what retirees describe as inadequate pension benefits.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in a press statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, acknowledged the planned demonstration.
While assuring full security for the protesting retirees and affirming their constitutional right to peaceful assembly, the police leadership also cautioned against “misinformation, emotional manipulation, and calculated distortions” by certain actors seeking to politicize the sensitive welfare issue for ulterior motives.
The agitation for improved police pensions, particularly the call to exit the CPS, is not new, having spanned over a decade since 2014. Successive Inspectors-General of Police have empathized with the cause, but the NPF maintains that exiting the scheme is beyond the purview of the Inspector-General, entangled in complex legal provisions, fiscal limitations, and administrative bottlenecks.
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This position is echoed by pension industry stakeholders, who warn that a police exit could create massive unfunded liabilities for the government and destabilize the broader pension system.
Despite these constraints, the current police leadership is pursuing a dual-track strategy. Beyond supporting the agitation in principle, the NPF is exploring innovative, alternative solutions to address immediate hardships faced by retirees.
These include utilizing internally generated revenues from police services to provide supplementary benefits and mobilizing private sector support for targeted pension enhancement initiatives. The Federal Government has reportedly been sensitized on the matter, with responses keenly awaited.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has directed all Commissioners of Police to ensure the peaceful conduct of the protest, prevent any hijack by miscreants or political actors, and ensure serving officers treat their retired colleagues with utmost respect.
The IGP emphasized that the protest must be “exemplary” and serve as a national model for dignified grievance expression and responsible public order management, reflecting the Force’s professionalism and humanity. While acknowledging the frustration, recent reports indicate that some retiree groups have withdrawn their support for the protest after engaging with the current police leadership, having gained a better appreciation for the ongoing efforts to address their welfare.
