Military Retirees Protest at the Finance Ministry Over Unpaid Pensions

Members of the Coalition of Military Pensioners in Abuja staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance on Thursday morning, demanding the payment of their unpaid entitlements. The retirees, who traveled from various chapters across the country, are seeking the release of a 20% to 28% salary increment for the period from January to November 2024.

The retired military officers expressed their frustration over the Federal Government’s failure to fulfill their promises. Their demands include payment of palliative funds from October 2023 to November 2024, the addition of N32,000 to their pension, a bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA), and a refund for deductions made from the pensions of medically boarded soldiers.

The protest comes after the Senate announced plans to launch a full investigation into the Military Pensions Board upon resumption from recess. Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Olamilekan Adeola, revealed this during the defence of the budget report by the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service.

As part of the budget discussions, an additional N20 billion was requested for the construction of an office building for the Military Pensions Board and the renovation of phases 1 to 4 of the Federal Secretariat. Adeola raised concerns about the operations of the board, its budget management, and the number of retirees who are yet to receive their payments.

The pensioners have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met, stressing the financial hardships they are facing due to the non-payment of their rightful entitlements.