By Seun Ibiyemi
The proposal, under review by a Presidential committee, seeks to link pensions to officers’ last salaries, address outstanding liabilities and improve retirement benefits.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has proposed a 200 per cent gratuity and improved pension benefits for retired police officers as part of efforts to address long-standing concerns over retirement security in the Nigeria Police Force.
The proposal is before a Presidential committee comprising key financial and pension institutions, which is examining sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting police officers after retirement, according to a statement by the police.
The proposed reforms include linking pension payments to officers’ last salaries, addressing outstanding pension liabilities and considering possible reviews of benefits for personnel who have already retired.
The initiative is aimed at improving the welfare of retired officers and ensuring that personnel who dedicate years to policing are adequately supported after leaving active service.
The proposed package comes amid persistent concerns among retired police personnel over the adequacy, administration and timely payment of their retirement benefits.
A major focus of the reform effort is the Contributory Pension Scheme, which has attracted discontent among some retired officers who have called for changes to the existing arrangements.
The proposed measures seek to address these concerns by improving pension administration, reviewing benefit structures and establishing a more sustainable framework for retirement payments.
For serving personnel, the prospect of improved retirement benefits could also have implications for morale and confidence in the welfare system, particularly in a profession characterised by demanding duties and prolonged service.
Although the Federal Government has reportedly cleared pension payment backlogs and introduced increases for some beneficiaries, retired officers continue to demand a system capable of providing adequate and reliable income after years of service.
However, the proposed 200 per cent gratuity and other pension adjustments have not been approved as established entitlements.
Their implementation will depend on the Presidential committee’s recommendations, subsequent government approval, funding arrangements and the issuance of relevant guidelines.
Until those steps are completed, the proposal remains under consideration, with its eventual scope and impact on serving and retired police personnel yet to be determined.
