Retired police officers in the country have called on the National Assembly to approve the N758 billion outstanding pension liabilities currently awaiting their consideration.
They warned that further delays could worsen the hardship faced by thousands of ex-officers and spark discontent within the Force.
Acting under the auspices of the National Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (NARPON), the retirees made the appeal in a statement on Tuesday signed by their National President, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Paul Ochonu.
They described the delay in the National Assembly’s approval of the funds as a significant setback to efforts aimed at reforming and enhancing the welfare of both retired and active police personnel.
The association mentioned the recent approval by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) on 18 June 2025, which increased the monthly pensions of retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
According to Ochonu, legislative approval of the pending funds would implement the review and provide immediate relief to retirees in need.
NARPON also called on lawmakers to consider raising the Federal Government’s contribution to Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, as stipulated in Section 4 of the Pension Reform Act 2014.
He said, “This adjustment will resolve most concerns about low pension payouts. Pension is a function of salary earned while in service. Whether under the CPS or DBS, the amount of pension payable to a retiree is directly tied to the quantum of his terminal emoluments,” the statement read.
“It is only fair that the Police be accorded equal consideration. We noted that PenCom has recommended payment of 100 per cent gratuity to retirees in the public sector; however, NARPON is recommending payment of 300 per cent gratuity, as was the case with DBS retirees.”
The association commended the efforts of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to engage with the Federal Government on ensuring that no police retiree of the rank of Commissioner of Police or below receives a monthly pension of less than 80 per cent or 60 per cent of their total emoluments at the point of disengagement, depending on their rank.
Ochonu further advocated for leveraging the Nigeria Police Act 2020 to establish an Additional Pension Benefits Scheme, similar to those already implemented by agencies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
He noted that this would enhance the retirement welfare of police personnel from internally generated funds.
While acknowledging the frustration and disillusionment among retirees, he appealed for calm and urged all stakeholders to pursue constructive engagement and reforms.
“The real solution to the pension concerns of police officers may not necessarily lie in exiting the Contributory Pension Scheme, but in improving its implementation,” he added.
