The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called for the urgent removal of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), citing the degrading conditions many retired officers endure under the current system.
Speaking before the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs during a public hearing on the Police Pension Board (Establishment) Bill 2023, the IGP made a passionate case for reforms, stating that the existing arrangement “has continued to subject our gallant officers to extreme hardship and indignity after retirement.”
According to a report by The Gazette on Tuesday, Egbetokun noted that many retired officers receive less than N40,000 monthly, a figure he described as grossly inadequate and demoralizing for men who served the country with dedication.
“The intention of the CPS may have been noble, but its application to the peculiarities of the Police has become a source of emotional and economic pain,” the IGP said.
The proposed bill seeks to establish an independent pension board exclusively for the Nigeria Police Force, similar to what exists for the military and other paramilitary agencies. The IGP backed this move, stressing that the police deserve a pension system reflective of the risks and sacrifices associated with policing.
The House Committee Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Yalleman, assured that lawmakers would critically assess the submissions and prioritize the welfare of officers who have given their best years in service.
This development comes amid ongoing national conversations around pension reforms, public sector accountability, and the need for more humane treatment of retirees in Nigeria.
