Police Pensions, Welfare and the Power of Dialogue in Lagos
By Adebisi Adams Oyeshakin
Retired police officers across Nigeria have for years voiced deep frustration over unpaid and inadequate pensions, particularly those enrolled in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). In 2025, this long-simmering discontent culminated in plans for widespread protests, including an event tagged the “Mother of All Peaceful Protests,” scheduled for July 21, 2025.
The planned demonstrations stemmed from unresolved grievances and persistent demands that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) be exempted from the scheme. At the heart of these actions lies a profound sense of injustice, as retirees seek better welfare and financial dignity after decades of service to the nation.
Against this backdrop, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh Moshood, adopted a measured and professional approach. During a meeting with members of the National Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (NARPON) at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja, Jimoh advised retirees against resorting to street protests.
Instead, he urged them to pursue structured dialogue with the Nigeria Police Force and relevant government institutions. He assured them that discussions were ongoing at the highest levels to address their concerns.
Jimoh’s position was anchored in the belief that sustained engagement and institutional dialogue are more likely to yield durable solutions than public demonstrations. He reminded the retirees of the legal and policy constraints surrounding the issue, noting that no Inspector-General of Police has the unilateral authority to remove the NPF from the Contributory Pension Scheme, as such action remains the prerogative of the federal government.
He further disclosed that the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, under Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, was actively advocating improved pension terms that could enable retiring officers to receive between 80 and 100 percent of their final salary as pension—an initiative reportedly already before the federal authorities.
The grievances of the retirees are rooted in lived realities. Many pensioners under the CPS argue that the scheme produces meagre monthly stipends and inadequate gratuity after long and often perilous careers in public service. In previous nationwide demonstrations, retirees described their benefits as insufficient for a dignified life, contending that the current system has exposed them to economic hardship and public embarrassment in their post-service years.
While protest remains a legitimate and constitutionally protected tool for expressing grievances in a democratic society, Jimoh’s emphasis on dialogue reflects a broader faith in institutional problem-solving. He highlighted ongoing engagements between police leadership and relevant agencies, including the National Pension Commission and the Ministry of Police Affairs, aimed at reforming pension arrangements and safeguarding the welfare of retired personnel. This approach seeks to build consensus while avoiding disruptions that could compromise public order.
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His counsel also reflects a wider evolution in policing culture, one that increasingly places communication, public engagement and professionalism at the centre of law enforcement. Lagos, in particular, has witnessed several high-profile protests in recent years—from calls for police reform to broader social justice campaigns—each shaping public expectations of police conduct. In these moments, how the police respond to civil action becomes a critical measure of institutional maturity and public trust.
CP Jimoh’s intervention comes at a time when police institutions nationwide face growing pressure to balance respect for citizens’ rights with the imperative of maintaining peace. Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police had directed all Commissioners of Police to ensure that any planned peaceful protests by retirees across various states were protected and conducted responsibly, without escalation.
The Force publicly reaffirmed its respect for the constitutional rights of retirees while cautioning against politicisation or the spread of misinformation that could erode public confidence.
A strategy that prioritises dialogue over confrontation offers several advantages. It reinforces respect for lawful, democratic processes. Constructive engagement between retiree associations, policymakers and police leadership has the potential to produce concrete policy reforms that street protests alone may not secure. It also preserves institutional integrity and public order, ensuring that the police remain guardians of security rather than participants in confrontations with their own retired colleagues. Above all, it signals empathy and professionalism, recognising the humanity and sacrifices of those who devoted their working lives to public safety.
Yet, dialogue must transcend rhetoric. Retirees and their advocates argue that previous negotiations have often stalled without yielding tangible results. Many recount how shrinking pension benefits have left them in persistent hardship long after their service years ended. For dialogue to retain credibility, it must be accompanied by transparency, clearly defined timelines and measurable outcomes. Public confidence in reform grows not from assurances, but from visible progress.
The pension debate, therefore, extends beyond the welfare of police retirees. It speaks to the broader quality of governance in Nigeria and the capacity of public institutions to respond meaningfully to legitimate grievances. Policymakers must not only listen but act. If pension reform remains perpetually deferred, frustration will deepen, regardless of how professionally the discourse is framed.
In urging engagement, CP Jimoh has underscored conversation and negotiation as pathways to lasting solutions. This stance mirrors broader efforts within the police to embed public relations, conflict management and community trust into the core of professional conduct. For retirees, meaningful improvement in pension conditions will likely emerge through sustained advocacy, legislative intervention and policy innovation that directly addresses the realities of post-service hardship.
Ultimately, the outcome of this pension reform struggle will test Nigeria’s ability to resolve sensitive welfare issues through negotiation rather than confrontation. The call for dialogue aligns with democratic ideals, but its true value will be measured by outcomes that restore dignity to those who served the nation with commitment and sacrifice.
No doubt , CP Jimoh’s counsel, therefore, marks not a conclusion, but a starting point. The journey ahead demands resolve from all stakeholders, consistent communication and a shared determination to deliver justice for Nigeria’s police retirees.
Adebisi Adams Oyeshakin, a PRNigeria Fellow, writes via [[email protected]
