Tightened Security As Military Retirees Prepare To Protest Pension Adjustments

Security was tightened around the Ministry of Defence in Abuja on Wednesday, as military retirees prepared to protest over the alleged failure to implement consequential pension adjustments linked to salary increases for serving personnel.

As early as 8am, personnel from the police, the army, Nigeria Immigration Service and the vehicle inspection officers had taken positions around the ministry and adjoining roads.

Armed soldiers were also seen patrolling the area, while security personnel occupied strategic points around the planned protest venue.

More than 15 vehicles belonging to the police, army, immigration and VIO were observed at different points, alongside two armoured personnel carriers.

Despite the heavy security presence, the retirees had yet to commence the protest as of the time of filing the report.

The planned demonstration centres on the retirees’ demand for pension adjustments following salary increases approved for serving military personnel.

One of the leaders of the retirees, Col. Innocent Azubike (rtd.), said the protest was intended to draw attention to what he described as the constitutional pension rights of retired military personnel.

According to Azubike, President Bola Tinubu approved a salary increase for serving military personnel in November 2025, which should have triggered a corresponding adjustment in the pensions of retirees.

He alleged, however, that the pension adjustment had not been implemented despite previous acknowledgements by military authorities of the president’s approval.

Azubike said the retirees have therefore decided to protest at the Ministry of Defence to demand the implementation of what they believe they are entitled to under the relevant pension arrangements.

“We have a protest on Wednesday at the Ministry of Defence to demand our constitutional pension rights,” he said.

He recalled that the November 2025 salary increase for serving personnel was widely publicised and was accompanied by expectations of a corresponding adjustment for pensioners.

“In November last year, the president approved a new pay increase for the military, and it came with a consequential adjustment for retirees and pensioners,” he said.

Azubike alleged that the adjustment was subsequently not implemented, adding that explanations from the authorities changed during July and August.

He said the situation has left retirees concerned about whether the promised adjustment would eventually be paid.

The retired officer also raised concerns over a fresh salary increase announced for military personnel in August 2026, which is expected to take effect in September.

According to him, the latest salary adjustment could further widen the gap between the pensions of military personnel who retired under earlier salary structures and those who retire after the new increase takes effect.

Azubike alleged that funds had already been calculated for the implementation of the latest salary increase but that pensioners were not included in the consequential adjustment.

“Another military salary increase was announced this August, totally ignoring that of last year. The new announcement is supposed to start implementation in September,” he said.

“They have computed the fund requirement for implementing this second announcement of pay increase. In their computation, they excluded pensioners and the consequential adjustment of pensioners’ pensions. That is the main issue we are protesting.”

He stressed that the retirees were not opposed to salary improvements for serving military personnel but wanted corresponding adjustments to be made to their pensions.

Azubike warned that failing to adjust the pensions could create significant disparities among military personnel of the same rank and with similar years of service.

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He explained that personnel retiring after the latest salary increase could receive higher pensions because their benefits would be calculated under the new salary structure, while those who retired earlier could remain on lower pension levels.

“The implication is that when they raise the salary of serving personnel, those who will be retiring from the new salary scale, their pension will be far higher than their contemporaries of the same rank and equal number of years of service who had earlier retired,” he said.

The retirees are therefore seeking the implementation of the outstanding consequential pension adjustments and an assurance that future salary increases for serving personnel will be reflected appropriately in the pensions of retired military personnel.