Military veterans led by the Veterans Association of Nigeria staged a protest at the Military Pensions Board in Abuja on Tuesday morning to demand an immediate recalculation of their entitlements.
The demonstrators, coordinated by Lt. Col. Innocent Azubuike, allege that their monthly pension payments have not been adjusted to reflect recent salary increments granted to serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The group is seeking parity between their current payouts and the updated pay scales of active-duty personnel.
The protest, which saw veterans gathering at the board’s headquarters, follows growing frustration over the gap between the cost of living and the stagnant pension amounts received by retirees. The veterans are calling for an urgent review of all pension disbursements to ensure they align with the approved adjustments for serving military officers.
Demands for pension recalculation
The core of the grievance lies in the discrepancy between the recent salary adjustments made for active-duty personnel and the pension figures currently being paid to retirees. The protest by military veterans over alleged pension underpayment in Abuja highlights a perceived failure to implement mandatory pay scale updates for former service members.
Lt. Col. Innocent Azubuike, leading the Veterans Association of Nigeria, stated that the association’s primary goal is to ensure that retirees receive their rightful entitlements. He emphasised that the adjustments made to the salaries of those currently in active service must be mirrored in the pensions of those who have completed their service to prevent the economic disenfranchisement of veterans.
The veterans argue that the failure to recalibrate these payments has left many former service members struggling to meet basic needs. As inflation continues to impact the Nigerian economy, the group maintains that the pension adjustments are a necessary requirement to maintain the welfare standards promised to those who served the nation.
The Military Pensions Board has yet to release an official statement regarding the specific demands made by the association or the timeline for any potential recalculation. The protesters have indicated that they will continue to press for a resolution until their entitlements are brought in line with the approved military pay scales. The outcome of this demonstration will depend on whether the board enters formal negotiations with the Veterans Association of Nigeria to address the pay gap.
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