Military Retirees Block Pensions Board Entrance In Abuja Over Pension Adjustment

Veterans protest calculation formula, alleging it could deny some pensioners the full benefits of salary increases granted to serving military personnel

By Henryrich Ojo | Newsworld

Retired military personnel on Tuesday barricaded the entrance to the Military Pensions Board office in Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, protesting the formula adopted for calculating adjustments to their pensions. The retirees blocked the gate with canopies and chairs to express their dissatisfaction with the implementation of the increase, while armed soldiers stationed at the premises prevented them from entering the office.

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The demonstration followed an earlier protest by military veterans at the Ministry of Defence in September, during which they demanded pension adjustments that reflect salary increases approved for serving members of the armed forces.

The Coordinator of the Veterans Association of Nigeria, Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Azubike, raised concerns over the calculation method adopted by the Military Pensions Board, alleging that it could disadvantage some retirees and leave them with lower increases than expected.

The veterans maintained that the consequential adjustments should adequately reflect the salary reviews granted to serving military personnel. Their protest stems from growing dissatisfaction with how the pension increase is being calculated and implemented.

The protest also follows an assurance by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, that retired military personnel would receive increased pensions in October after the salary adjustments for serving personnel.

The retirees are now seeking a formula they believe will ensure a fair reflection of those adjustments in their pension payments. The dispute highlights continuing concerns among military veterans over pension benefits, implementation timelines and the need for transparent calculations by the relevant authorities.