BREAKING: Top Police Officers Revolt Against Contributory Pension Scheme, Seek NASS Intervention

Senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force have unanimously agreed that the Force should withdraw from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), describing it as unsuitable for the welfare of police personnel.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to SaharaReporters, the resolution was contained in an internal wireless message dated August 6, 2025, issued by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Border Patrol Force. The message noted that the decision was reached during a high-level meeting at Force Headquarters, Abuja, attended by officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above.

At the meeting, the officers reviewed the CPS extensively and concluded that the police must opt out of the scheme “as it is presently constituted.”

Push for National Assembly Intervention

The senior officers further resolved to intensify efforts toward the National Assembly to secure the legal framework needed for a total withdrawal from the CPS.

In the meantime, personnel were urged to remain calm, with assurances that measures were being put in place to guarantee a more favourable welfare package. The directive, circulated to zonal and state commands as well as border units nationwide, was marked as highly important.

Pressure to Transfer RSAs to NPF Pensions

This development follows earlier pressure from Nigeria Police Force Pensions Limited (NPF Pensions Ltd.), which has been urging officers to transfer their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) to the company.

In a letter dated July 2, 2025, NPF Pensions Ltd.’s Managing Director/CEO, Kolade Morakinyo, appealed to Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to compel personnel to complete the transfer by August 31, 2025.

Morakinyo explained that consolidating RSAs under NPF Pensions Ltd. was vital to creating a uniform database for computing percentage enhancements based on officers’ ranks and service steps.

“There is, therefore, the compelling need to consolidate all Police personnel RSAs in NPF Pensions Limited so as to have a full and uniform database with which to work out the percentage enhancements according to their ranks and steps,” he stated.

Following the appeal, the IGP’s office issued a circular on July 7, 2025, directing all personnel to immediately transfer their RSAs to NPF Pensions Ltd. The directive was reinforced on July 10, 2025, through another circular signed by AIG Godwin I. Eze on behalf of the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of Finance and Administration. These orders were dispatched to Deputy and Assistant Inspectors-General, commandants, police colleges, training schools, and commissioners of police across the country.

NPF Pensions Ltd. was established to specifically manage police pensions under the CPS, which is regulated by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Retirees Protest Against Poor Pension

The push for withdrawal also comes in the wake of nationwide protests by retired police officers on July 21, 2025, in cities including Abuja, Calabar, and Jalingo.

Led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, the retirees staged peaceful demonstrations demanding dignity in retirement. They condemned the CPS as exploitative, citing cases where some retirees received only ₦2-₦3 million after 35 years of service, while others were left with monthly stipends of just ₦30,000–₦45,000.

Placards carried during the protest read: “Scrap police contributory pension scheme” and “We need our full gratuity.”

The protesters accused pension fund administrators and police leadership of mismanagement, alleging that deductions were unremitted and records deliberately falsified.

With the latest resolution by senior officers, focus now shifts to the National Assembly, where legislative amendments would be required for the Nigeria Police Force to formally exit the CPS.