Retired police officers and their wives have staged a protest at the National Assembly in Abuja, calling on President Bola Tinubu to sign into law the bill seeking the withdrawal of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The demonstration, organised under the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria (PROF), is part of a sustained campaign by former police personnel seeking a separate pension arrangement that they believe would better address their welfare after years of service.
The retirees have repeatedly criticised the Contributory Pension Scheme, arguing that it does not adequately cater to their financial needs after retirement. They are calling for an alternative system that recognises the demands and risks associated with police duties.
The forum’s leader, retired Chief Superintendent of Police Raphael Irowainu, disclosed that the National Assembly passed the Police Exit Bill on December 4, 2025, before transmitting it to President Tinubu for assent on March 16, 2026. The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in approving the legislation.
Beyond seeking the police force’s withdrawal from the existing scheme, the retirees are also demanding the establishment of a Police Pension Board to manage the retirement benefits of former officers.
They argue that a dedicated pension board would provide a more appropriate framework for addressing their concerns and ensuring that retired personnel receive benefits that reflect their years of service.
The protesters have continued to appeal to the Federal Government to resolve the matter, maintaining that former officers should not face financial difficulties after dedicating their careers to maintaining law and order and protecting the public.
The latest demonstration underscores the continuing disagreement over pension arrangements for retired police personnel. Despite previous efforts to draw the attention of relevant authorities to their concerns, the retirees insist that the signing of the proposed bill remains a critical step towards resolving the dispute.
They are urging the President to act on the legislation and provide a lasting solution to their pension grievances, while maintaining their demand for a separate system that would better protect the welfare of retired police officers.
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