₦airaland Forum

Abuja, Nigeria — Retired Nigerian military officers staged a peaceful protest on Monday, blocking the entrance to the Federal Ministry of Finance. The demonstrators called for the prompt payment of their pensions and other entitlements, citing years of delayed payments and unfulfilled promises.

The protest, which drew dozens of retired service members, highlighted grievances ranging from late pension disbursements to the non-implementation of minimum wage adjustments in their benefits. Holding placards and chanting slogans, the veterans decried what they described as neglect by the government, despite their decades of service to the nation.

In an interview with The Bureau Newspaper, one of the protesters expressed frustration over the plight of retired officers.

“Some of our members are dying without enjoying the benefits of what they laboured for for over 35 years. It’s heartbreaking,” he said.

The retirees argued that their demands are not only legitimate but urgent, emphasising that the government’s delays have caused unnecessary hardship for many of them and their families.

Longstanding Grievances

The demonstrators called for immediate action to address discrepancies in their pensions, particularly the failure to adjust payments in line with the national minimum wage, a policy adopted years ago but not fully implemented in their pensions.

“We are simply asking for what is rightfully ours,” another protester said. “After serving this country loyally for 35 years, we deserve to live with dignity.”

Government Response

Officials from the Ministry of Finance did not immediately comment on the protest. However, the incident shows growing tensions between retired military personnel and government agencies tasked with managing their benefits.

The protesters vowed to sustain their demonstrations until their demands are met, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to intervene directly.

Broader Implications

The protest highlights ongoing issues with Nigeria’s pension system, which has faced criticism for inefficiency and corruption. Advocacy groups have warned that unresolved disputes over pensions could discourage young Nigerians from pursuing careers in the armed forces.

As the demonstrators dispersed peacefully by mid-afternoon, their message was clear: the government must act swiftly to honour its obligations to those who have served the nation with distinction.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lW9iXVcQyA


Source: The Bureau Newspaper

How long are they owed?

Flangelo12:
How long are they owed?

This is is cross wickedness in this hard time

Used them as stooges and dumped them without a pay. Tinubu as a matter of fact should order the police or army to disperse them with tear gas. That's what they did or should have done when they were on uniform.

MeIin:
This is is cross wickedness in this hard time

I'm curious.

What's the debt?

It would be hard for them to draw sympathy from Nigerians due to the way that they treat Nigerians while in service.

Is there any sector that Tinubu has not destroyed in this country??

The other day we saw wild animals at Lekki Conservation extorting passerbys. Soon it will be deities escaping from shrines to demand tributes from innocent people.

Dismay be to any household that vote this man

AchrafHakimi:
Is there any sector that Tinubu has not destroyed in this country??

The other day we saw wild animals at Lekki Conservation extorting passer bys. Soon it will be deities escaping from shrines to demand tributes from innocent people.

Every sector have been destroyed under this calamitous Tinubu regime

Everbody must collect… when in service, they treated civilian Nigerians as poou poou… but now, they’re civilians 🤷🏿‍♂️😂😂

God punish you.when you were in service.sheybi na shege civilian una dey show us.hahahaha
U go all die out of starvation

This is a real vicious cycle.

They shot at innocent unarmed protesters, in the past, and today they are now unarmed protesters.

kettykin:
This is a real vicious cycle.

They shot at innocent unarmed protesters, in the past, and today they are now unarmed protesters.

Quite pathetic.