IGP Egbetokun Appeals to Senate Over Poor Police Pensions, Promises Relief for Retirees
Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reached out to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, requesting urgent legislative intervention to remove the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), a system widely criticized by retired officers as inadequate and degrading.
This development follows multiple protests by ex-police officers across the country who say their pensions under the CPS are insufficient and fail to reflect the years they dedicated to national service. In a letter dated July 25 and leaked by activist Omoyele Sowore on July 29, the IGP emphasized that retired officers currently live in “unacceptable and humiliating” conditions, struggling to afford even basic necessities.
Egbetokun’s letter was viewed by some, including Sowore, as a political maneuver to pacify unrest within the force. Sowore described the letter as “a calculated move to calm the rising anger of retired and serving police officers nothing more than a distraction,” and dismissed it as “halfhearted.”
Despite the criticism, the IGP reassured police retirees that efforts are underway to address their concerns. He revealed that consultations are ongoing with key stakeholders, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. “There are things that we need to put in place to ensure that your suffering is alleviated,” Egbetokun stated, although he noted that some internal strategies would not be made public at this time.
The leaked letter, officially titled “Urgent Appeal for the Passage of the Bill for the Exit of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme,” described how the current pension structure continues to erode morale, dignity, and institutional trust among officers. It urged the National Assembly to pass the proposed legislation that would allow the NPF to exit the scheme.
As of now, neither the police force nor its spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has issued a formal statement on the matter or addressed the leaked letter directly.
The move has stirred debate among Nigerians, especially as calls grow for broader pension reforms in the country’s public service. Retired officers and their families are closely watching for the Senate’s response, hoping for immediate legislative action to address their long-standing grievances.
