Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
In a bid to boost the quality of life of police retirees, the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) is seeking to enhance retirement benefits of Nigerian Police Officers under the contributory pension scheme.
This is a move to find a lasting to the incessant agitation to exit contributory pension scheme over low pension by Nigerian police retirees.
Under the approved framework, retired police officers will receive a monthly pension equivalent to 100 per cent of their final salary for life, a demand that police personnel and retirees had consistently pushed for over the years.
The package also provides for gratuity payments amounting to 200 per cent of annual emoluments, a development expected to improve retirement benefits for officers substantially.
In the same vein, under the proposed arrangement, the Federal Government is expected to increase its pension contribution for serving police officers from the current 10 to 20 per cent monthly while employee contribution remain eight per cent.
The new arrangement, which includes a monthly pension equivalent to an officer’s last salary and increased gratuity benefits, is expected to strengthen financial security for retired personnel and boost the morale of officers still in active service.
This measure is expected to significantly improve Retirement Savings Account (RSA) balances, enhance pension payouts, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the pension structure.
If accepted by President Bola Tinubu, the police augmentation plan for police personnel will reflect government’s recognition of the police’s critical role in maintaining national security and public order, as well as the need to ensure officers’ dignity and stability after retirement.
The organised labour movement has consistently highlighted that the enhanced CPS framework offers a more sustainable and transparent alternative to both the old Defined Benefits Scheme and the uncertainties surrounding a complete exit from the contributory system.
They argued that strengthening the current pension structure and leveraging NPF Pensions Limited’s institutional experience would better guarantee the long-term welfare and financial security of serving and retired police personnel.
Recall that the Federal Government had earlier cleared outstanding pension arrears owed to pensioners across the country, a move widely applauded by retirees and stakeholders as a step toward improving the welfare of senior citizens who had dedicated years to national service.
The payment of the arrears brought temporary relief to many pensioners who had struggled under harsh economic conditions and rising cost of living.
Stakeholders in the agitation for better police pension now believe that the proposed pension increment for retired police officers, if fully implemented, would go a long way in addressing the growing agitation and dissatisfaction among police retirees. According to them, the increase would not only improve the welfare and living conditions of former officers, but also restore confidence in the pension system and reassure serving personnel that their sacrifices would be rewarded after retirement.
They further noted that many retired police officers are currently facing severe economic hardship, especially in the face of inflation and rising healthcare costs, stressing that an upward review of pensions would help provide financial stability, dignity and better post-service living conditions for officers who spent decades safeguarding lives and property across the country.
According to one of them, who pleaded anonymity, “we hope the Federal Government would follow through and ensure it’s implementation ”
In an unprecedented initiative, President Tinubu through the National Assembly, approved N758 billion Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bond to clear all pension back log and arrears for all retirees including Police in 2025.
This he described as a huge initiative that would make life more meaningful for Nigerian retirees. All backlog of pension arrears from 2012 were paid and monthly pensions were enhanced.
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