Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has proposed restoring gratuity for retired police officers and reforming their pension arrangements if elected president in 2027, amid continued protests over retirement benefits.
The proposed Police Dignity Guarantee Plan is aimed at addressing the financial difficulties faced by retired officers and improving their welfare after years of service.
In a statement issued on Monday by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku criticised the federal government over the treatment of retired police personnel.
He said it was unacceptable that officers who risked their lives protecting Nigerians were compelled to protest at the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to demand better retirement benefits.
Atiku also faulted President Bola Tinubu for failing to act on the Police Exit Bill, which seeks to remove the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The former vice-president said he was disturbed by the retirees’ protests and had directed members of his team to meet with them to hear their grievances.
He argued that the welfare of security personnel should remain an integral part of national security policy, adding that officers who protected lives and property should not struggle financially after retirement.
“If police officers who served this country must endure humiliation to demand a fair pension, what hope is there for other Nigerians who have spent their working lives in public service?” he asked.
Atiku said his proposed Police Dignity Guarantee Plan would include prompt action on the Police Exit Bill, restoration of gratuity for police officers and improved retirement benefits.
He also pledged to implement the Police Pension Board Bill within 30 days of assuming office if elected.
“Insecurity cannot be defeated while those who protect the country are denied security in retirement,” he said.
He added that his proposed administration would ensure that police officers received adequate support throughout their careers and were not abandoned after leaving service.
The agitation by retired police officers over the CPS has continued for several months, with demonstrations and appeals to the federal government for intervention.
The Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria has led the campaign, demanding the withdrawal of police personnel from the contributory scheme and the establishment of a dedicated pension arrangement.
The retirees have argued that the existing arrangement provides inadequate benefits, leaving many struggling to meet basic needs, including healthcare expenses.
The National Assembly passed the Police Exit Bill on December 4, 2025, and transmitted it to the Presidency on March 16, 2026, for presidential assent.
Retired officers subsequently staged protests, including a demonstration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in April, to demand the President’s approval of the legislation.
However, the Ministry of Police Affairs said in October that the federal government was engaging relevant stakeholders on the pension concerns, including the proposed transition from the CPS to a Defined Benefit Scheme.
