Military Veterans Block Pensions Board Entrance, Demand Fair Adjustment

Retired military personnel on Tuesday blocked the entrance to the Military Pensions Board office in Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, protesting the formula used to calculate adjustments to their pensions.

The veterans barricaded the entrance with canopies and chairs from about 8 a.m., while armed soldiers prevented them from entering the premises.

The demonstration followed growing dissatisfaction among military retirees over how pension adjustments linked to salary increases for serving personnel were being implemented.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), had earlier assured retired personnel that their pensions would be increased in October following the approval of salary adjustments for serving members of the armed forces.

However, the veterans allege that the formula adopted by the Military Pensions Board does not adequately reflect the approved salary increases and could leave some retirees receiving less than they expect.

Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Azubike (retd.), coordinator of the Veterans Association of Nigeria, said the protest was driven by concerns about the computation method and the implementation of the adjustments.

The latest demonstration came weeks after retired military personnel protested at the Ministry of Defence in September, calling for improved pension payments.

The dispute centres on whether the method used to calculate the revised pensions is consistent with the approved adjustments. The veterans are seeking a fair and transparent process that addresses differences in payments among retirees.

The Military Pensions Board had previously said it had commenced implementing revised pension rates and that applicable arrears had been processed for payment, with credits to pensioners’ accounts beginning on October 2.

The board’s chairman, Air Vice Marshal M. Abdulraheem, has also reaffirmed the board’s commitment to ensuring retired personnel benefit from approved wage and pension adjustments.

The protest highlights the continuing disagreement between military retirees and the authorities over how the revised pension rates should be calculated. The veterans are demanding a review of the formula to ensure their entitlements are properly determined.