The House of Representatives has revealed that the police pension amendment bill has already been passed by the House only awaiting Senate’s concurrence
Following nearly two months of sustained protest by the ex-officers at the entrance of the National Assembly, the House of Representatives on Wednesday held a heated debate on the deepening pension crisis facing retired police officers.
The retirees have accused the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) of breaching provisions of the contributory pension scheme and failing to implement a specialised pension structure for the Nigeria Police Force.
Many of the protesters, who served for over three decades, have remained camped at the National Assembly gate, enduring sun and rain as they demand legislative intervention.
Lawmakers described the situation as a national embarrassment and a dangerous signal for serving personnel whose morale, they warned, is gradually eroding.
Moving the motion, Rep. Jesse Onuakalusi (LP, Lagos) said the police Nigeria’s frontline internal security institution continues to operate under life-threatening conditions yet retires its officers into hardship under an “unsuitable” pension system.
He cited delayed payments, inadequate lump-sum benefits and irregular monthly stipends as factors forcing many retirees into destitution.
Onuakalusi argued that the contributory pension scheme, as administered under the Pension Reform Act 2024, does not reflect the hazardous nature of police service. He noted that other security agencies, including the armed forces, intelligence agencies and Customs, already operate under distinct pension arrangements.
“Scores of retired police officers have been sleeping in the open at the gate of the National Assembly for nearly two months, pleading for attention,” he said. “This embarrassment calls for urgent parliamentary intervention.”
He urged the leadership of the House to visit the protesters and reassure them of the chamber’s commitment to resolving the matter.
Debate Highlights
Contributing to the debate, Rep. Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) said the plight of retired officers reflects longstanding resistance from entrenched interests.
Drawing from personal experience as the son of a policeman who served 30 years, Rep. Salam recalled how attempts in the Ninth Assembly to remove the police from the contributory scheme were blocked by PENCOM and other stakeholders.
“I still ask: what does PENCOM stand to lose if the police are allowed a more suitable pension scheme?” he queried.
Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Rep. Abubakar Makki (APC, Jigawa), revealed that the police pension amendment bill has already been passed by the House and transmitted to the Senate since October 28, awaiting concurrence before being forwarded to the President for assent. He added that both his committee and the Pensions Committee have been engaging regularly with the protesting retirees.
Chairman of the Pensions Committee, Rep. Mohammed Jalo, confirmed that the bill has gone through all stages of legislative passage in the House. He suggested that the protesters may be directing their grievances more at the Senate and PENCOM, noting that discussions are ongoing to harmonise outstanding issues.
Deputy Speaker Rep. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over plenary, also affirmed that the bill (HB 979) has completed all House procedures and urged that the motion’s prayers be amended to reflect this.
Following inputs from lawmakers, including Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), Rep. Onuakalusi amended his prayer to call on the House leadership to interface with the Senate and fast-track concurrence on the bill.
Kalu subsequently referred the amended motion as approved.
A Long-Standing Dispute
The crisis stems from years of agitation over the placement of the police under the contributory pension scheme, which many officers insist does not acknowledge the high-risk nature of their service. The retirees say only a dedicated pension structure similar to those enjoyed by the military and other security outfits can guarantee dignity after service.
