The Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Gaidam, CON, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the welfare and pension concerns of serving and retired police personnel, including the call for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) administered by PenCom.
The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Anuma Ogbonnaya Nlia, stated this during a meeting with the leadership of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria (PROF) in Abuja.
The engagement focused on the Forum’s demand for the withdrawal of the NPF from the Contributory Pension Scheme administered under PenCom and the establishment of a dedicated pension arrangement for police personnel.
Dr. Nlia assured the retirees that their concerns had received, and would continue to receive, the attention of the appropriate authorities. He disclosed that the Ministry had previously communicated its position to the Presidency and would submit a further reminder to emphasise the urgency of the matter.
He noted that transitioning from the Contributory Pension Scheme administered by Pencom to an appropriate Defined Benefit Scheme would require careful policy, legal and executive consideration.
He assured the Forum that the Ministry would continue to engage relevant authorities towards a sustainable resolution.
The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the work of the Ministerial/Stakeholders Committee established to review the welfare of police personnel. The Committee is considering issues relating to salaries, regular and non-regular allowances, housing and uniform allowances, outstanding pension arrears, death benefits, Group Life Insurance and Group Personal Accident liabilities.
He stressed that police officers who risk their lives in the service of the nation deserve appropriate institutional support, adding that the families of officers who pay the supreme price should receive adequate protection and benefits.
In its presentation, the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, led by their National Coordinator, CSP Raphael Irowaini (Rtd.), appreciated the Ministry for the engagement but reiterated its demand for the NPF’s complete exit from the CPS administered by PenCom.
The Forum cited inadequate pension payments, rising living costs, healthcare challenges and the difficulties faced by retired officers and their families as key reasons for its position.
The National Coordinator also called for the establishment of a dedicated Nigeria Police Force Pension Board, noting that the National Assembly had passed legislation seeking to establish the Board.
He appealed to the Federal Government to facilitate the necessary executive action.
CSP Irowaini ( Rtd) further drew attention to the pension arrangements applicable to some other security and defence institutions and appealed to the Federal Government to accord retired police officers similar consideration.
He emphasised that the Forum’s agitation was driven by welfare and pension concerns, not political interests, and assured the Ministry that its engagements would remain peaceful and lawful.
The meeting ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to constructive engagement and the peaceful resolution of the pension and welfare concerns of retired police officers.
Adegboro Modupe
Head, Media and Public Relations Unit,
Ministry of Police Affairs
Abuja.
October 5, 2026
