Tension flared in Abuja on Monday as retired personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and their families blocked a gate of the Presidential Villa, protesting their continued inclusion in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
Operating under the umbrella of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria (PROF), the demonstrators described the scheme as “fraudulent, illegal, inhumane, and obnoxious.” They urged Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently sign the Police Exit Bill into law.
The controversial bill, which seeks to remove police personnel from the CPS, was passed by the National Assembly of Nigeria on December 4, 2025, and forwarded to the Presidency on March 16, 2026.
Leading the protest, National Coordinator of PROF, CSP Raphael Irowainu (retd.), said the action was solely aimed at pushing for presidential assent.
“Our major aim is to prevail on the President to sign the bill exiting the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme into law—nothing more,” he stated.
Irowainu expressed frustration over what he described as unequal treatment, noting that other security agencies have already been removed from the scheme while police retirees remain affected.
“The Army, DSS, Air Force, Navy, and National Intelligence Agency have all been exited. The police, who are foundational to internal security, are still trapped in this scheme,” he said.
The retirees argued that the CPS has significantly worsened their welfare, with many describing it as a system that has subjected them to hardship and neglect after years of service.
Monday’s protest adds to a growing wave of agitation. In July 2025, retired officers staged a similar demonstration at the National Assembly, while others have also protested at the Force Headquarters in Abuja over poor pension conditions.
The latest action highlights deepening dissatisfaction among police retirees, raising fresh concerns over pension reforms and calls for parity with other security agencies.
