Retired Police Officers Demand Exit from Pension Scheme as PenCom Faces Mounting Pressure to Reform CPS

The clamor for justice by retired police officers has brought the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) under intense scrutiny, as hundreds of ex-personnel took to the streets in Abuja, Kwara, and Edo States, demanding immediate removal from the scheme. Their collective cry? “A pension system that punishes those who served must be reviewed.”

Many of the retirees, some visibly frail and others carrying decades-old service records, expressed deep frustration over what they described as “paltry monthly pension payments” that do not reflect the risks and sacrifices endured during their careers in the Nigeria Police Force.

“We protected this nation in its darkest moments. Now we can’t protect ourselves from hunger,” lamented retired ASP Kabiru Alade during a protest held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

In the face of growing unrest, the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Omolola Bridget Oloworaran, is now at the center of a critical conversation on the future of the CPS, especially for uniformed personnel.

Taking office earlier this year, Mrs. Oloworaran brought with her a reputation for policy depth and administrative discipline. However, this latest crisis marks a defining moment for her leadership.

According to stakeholders, the CPS, though designed to promote transparency, sustainability, and fiscal discipline in retirement funding, has not fully considered the peculiar realities of law enforcement officers, who often retire earlier than civil servants and endure dangerous service conditions.

Pension rights advocates argue that Mrs. Oloworaran must act swiftly, recommending that PenCom:

Commission an audit into the remittances made by the police authorities to assess possible underfunding,

Push for increased employer contribution ratios specific to the police force,

Consider a hybrid or sector-specific model, akin to what applies to the military and intelligence community,

And engage the National Assembly for legislative reforms to address these disparities.

So far, PenCom has yet to issue an official response to the demands. However, sources close to the Commission say Mrs. Oloworaran is “studying the concerns raised by retirees and consulting widely with relevant authorities.”

Analysts believe the issue offers Mrs. Oloworaran a chance to reassert PenCom’s credibility and chart a more inclusive and compassionate path forward.

“The DG has an opportunity to bridge the widening trust gap between the institution and its beneficiaries,” said pension policy expert Nnenna Ajayi. “Her response to this crisis will either cement her legacy as a reformer or expose the cracks in the system.”

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who met with a delegation of the protesting retirees last week, has promised to relay their concerns to federal authorities. But for the retirees, what matters now is action—not promises.

As Nigeria pushes toward pension reforms that serve all sectors equitably, Mrs. Omolola Bridget Oloworaran faces a critical test of leadership, one that could reshape the future of retirement security for thousands who once wore the uniform with pride.

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