Retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have rejected recent welfare incentives approved by President Bola Tinubu, insisting that only a total removal from the scheme will address their concerns.
President Tinubu on Wednesday ordered the immediate implementation of free healthcare access for low-income retirees under the CPS, along with long-overdue pension increases. He also directed the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to urgently resolve lingering issues related to police pensions.
However, the retired officers, who have long decried the conditions under the CPS, described the reforms as insufficient.
“We are very happy that our cries have reached the President, and we appreciate his directives,” said Buba Danjuma, a spokesperson for the retirees. “However, what we want is our outright exit from the scheme. If we remain under CPS, we will still remain caged.”
The officers have staged a series of protests in recent months, including a demonstration at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where they demanded an exit from the contributory scheme, which they argue leaves them financially vulnerable and excluded from fair benefits.
Danjuma further questioned why the police remain under the CPS while other security agencies, such as the military and the Department of State Services (DSS), have been exempted.
“The DSS and military have all left and didn’t bother to remain under the CPS because of its many disadvantages. Why should we remain?” he said. “We appreciate the President, but we want him to do everything possible to get us out of the scheme. We don’t want to remain there anymore.”
The recent presidential directive is part of broader pension reforms aimed at improving retiree welfare and safeguarding pension funds against inflation and economic shocks. Plans to include Nigerians in the diaspora in the pension system through foreign currency contributions were also discussed during a briefing at the Presidential Villa.
While the reforms signal a renewed focus on social protection, the response from the police retirees highlights ongoing dissatisfaction with the structure and management of the CPS—especially within Nigeria’s security sector.
