Military Retirees Protest Delayed Pension Adjustments In Abuja

• Retired military personnel protested in Abuja over delays in adjusting their pensions to reflect salary increases approved for serving personnel.

• The protesters said the delay was creating disparities between the pensions of earlier retirees and recently retired personnel.

• The veterans warned they could march to the Presidential Villa if their demands are not addressed.

August 19, () — Retired military personnel on Wednesday protested in Abuja over what they described as delays in implementing consequential pension adjustments following salary increases approved for serving members of the armed forces.

The pensioners gathered at an open field near the Ministry of Defence, carrying banners and making their way towards the ministry’s main gate before soldiers cordoned off the area.

Police and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also joined the security operation, blocking access roads around the ministry. Tanks and other security vehicles were deployed as the retirees were prevented from entering the premises.

The veterans subsequently moved to a road median, where they addressed journalists and outlined their grievances.

Pensioners Demand Consequential Adjustment

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, retired Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Anas said retired military personnel were entitled to corresponding pension adjustments whenever the salaries of serving personnel were increased.

“We have paid our dues in patriotic service to this nation”, Anas said.

He argued that the Constitution provides for consequential adjustments for pensioners following salary increases affecting serving personnel.

According to him, the failure to implement the adjustments has created disparities in which some recently retired lower-ranking personnel could receive higher pensions than officers who retired several years earlier.

“A couple of sergeants who retired recently could be receiving a pension higher than that of a captain who retired 10 years back, and they served in the same military”, he said.

Anas said the pensioners were particularly concerned that a salary increase approved for military and paramilitary personnel in November 2025 had yet to be reflected in their pensions.

“November last year, this is August this year; they have not implemented it”, he said.

Retirees Cite New Salary Structure

The protest comes amid recent salary adjustments for serving military personnel.

President Bola Tinubu recently approved a 30 percent salary increase for officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant-generals and generals.

Personnel from colonel to warrant officer were approved to receive a 50 percent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant were to receive an 80 percent increase.

Anas said pensioners should also benefit from corresponding adjustments under the new salary structure, citing provisions of the Constitution and Armed Forces Act.

“If they want to implement it by law, constitution, and the Armed Forces Act, there should be a consequential adjustment that is an increase in the pay of pensioners to meet up to par,” he said.

He alleged that pensioners were excluded from the computation of funds required to implement the latest salary adjustment.

“You are depriving them of their constitutional and legal right”, he added.

The retired officer warned that continued delays could widen disparities between earlier and more recent retirees.

Anas said the pensioners would consider marching to the Presidential Villa in the coming days if their demands were not addressed.

The protesters are seeking the implementation of outstanding pension adjustments to ensure that retired personnel benefit from salary reviews approved for serving members of the armed forces.