Retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force staged a protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, demanding that President Bola Tinubu sign the Police Exit Bill passed by the National Assembly. The protesters, under the aegis of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria (PROF), are seeking to withdraw the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme, citing the scheme as fraudulent and inhumane.
The demonstration, which began at the Three Arms Zone, proceeded through the streets in front of Police Headquarters before culminating in a blockade of Gate 8 leading into the Presidential Villa. As of late Monday, no government officials had addressed the concerns of the protesting retirees, who insist on a meeting with President Tinubu to discuss the matter.
The Core Grievance: The Contributory Pension Scheme
The retired officers argue that their continued inclusion in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) is detrimental and unlawful. Led by its National Coordinator, CSP Raphael Irowainu, the protesters carried placards and flags, expressing their frustration with the current pension system. They believe the scheme is contributing to financial hardship and premature deaths among retirees.
The Police Exit Bill, passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025 and transmitted to the President on March 16, 2026, aims to fully exempt the police from the CPS. According to the protesters, the bill’s enactment would alleviate the burdens they face and provide a more equitable pension system.
Previous Protests and Government Response
This is not the first instance of retired police officers protesting over the CPS. In July of last year, similar demonstrations took place at the National Assembly and Force Headquarters, highlighting the long-standing discontent within the retired police community. During the previous protest at Force Headquarters, then-Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, acknowledged the welfare concerns of retired officers but cautioned against spreading misinformation regarding the pension scheme.
“Our major aim here is to prevail on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign our bill—the bill exiting the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme—passed by the National Assembly on 4th December 2025 and transmitted to him on 16th March, 2026, into law, nothing more than that,” CSP Irowainu stated while addressing reporters.
Egbetokun had advised the protesters to refrain from spreading misinformation, stressing that the Force could not abandon its own. He indicated that addressing the welfare of retired officers was a priority, but that immediate implementation of the exit from the CPS was not feasible.
Ongoing Situation and Future Outlook
The protesters, accompanied by family members, have laid mats in front of Gate 8 and are singing songs of solidarity, effectively blocking vehicular movement. Security personnel at the Presidential Villa have been unable to persuade them to disperse. The situation remains unresolved as of Monday evening, with the protesters maintaining their demand for a direct audience with President Tinubu to discuss the passage of the Police Exit Bill and their removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme. The outcome of this protest and the President’s response will likely set the tone for future negotiations regarding pension reform within the Nigeria Police Force.
