Sowore Urges Nigerian Police Officers to Join July 21 Protest, Demands N300,000 Minimum Salary

Human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, has called on both serving and retired members of the Nigeria Police Force to participate in a nationwide protest scheduled for July 21, 2025, aimed at demanding better welfare and improved salaries.

Sowore made the call on Tuesday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, describing the upcoming demonstration as a “date with destiny” for security personnel seeking justice and economic dignity.

“To all Nigerian Police Officers serving and retired you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to break free from slavery,” Sowore tweeted.
“No police officer should earn less than ₦300,000 to ₦500,000 monthly.”

The activist urged officers to stand up and demand better compensation, noting the long-standing issue of low wages and poor working conditions plaguing the police force. Currently, a constable’s monthly salary ranges between ₦43,000 and ₦55,000, a figure many believe is grossly inadequate considering the risks associated with law enforcement in Nigeria.

Sowore’s message reignites public concern over police welfare, which was a major point of agitation during the #EndSARS protests in 2020. Protesters then demanded not just the end of police brutality, but also institutional reforms, including improved remuneration, proper housing, pensions, and health coverage for officers.

Despite the Nigerian government’s promises under the Police Act 2020 and initiatives via the Police Trust Fund, critics argue that reforms have been slow and largely cosmetic.

Sowore’s latest call comes at a time of widespread economic hardship and increased pressure on the government to address lingering issues in the country’s security sector. Police barracks across the country remain in disrepair, while delays in salary payments and promotions continue to fuel dissatisfaction among officers.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters nor the Ministry of Police Affairs had officially responded to the protest call.