Military retirees on Wednesday protested in Abuja over the alleged delay in implementing consequential adjustments to their pensions, following recent salary increases for serving Armed Forces personnel.
The retired personnel gathered near the Ministry of Defence, carrying placards and demanding that their pensions be adjusted to reflect salary reviews approved by President Bola Tinubu.
Soldiers reportedly blocked their movement towards the ministry’s main entrance, while police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel joined efforts to prevent access.
Security personnel deployed tanks and other vehicles around the area as the retirees moved to a road median, where they addressed journalists.
Military retirees demand pension adjustment
Speaking for the protesters, retired Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Anas said military pensioners were entitled to consequential adjustments whenever the salaries of serving personnel were increased.
Anas said the retirees had served the country. He argued that failing to adjust pensions could create disparities between personnel who retired at different times, including situations where recently retired lower-ranking personnel could receive higher pensions than officers who retired years earlier.
According to him, the retirees were concerned about a salary increase approved for military and paramilitary personnel in November 2025, which they alleged had not been reflected in their pensions.
Anas said the delay had persisted despite the announcement of another salary review for serving military personnel.
Military salary increase takes effect September 1
President Tinubu approved a new salary structure for about 250,000 Armed Forces personnel, with increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent. The Ministry of Defence said the adjustment will take effect from September 1, 2026.
Under the structure, personnel from Private to Staff Sergeant will receive an 80 per cent increase, while those from Warrant Officer to Colonel will receive 50 per cent. Officers above the rank of Colonel, including Brigadier Generals, Major Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals, will receive a 30 per cent increase.
The Federal Government said the adjustment will raise the Armed Forces’ annual personnel cost from N660 billion to N924 billion. The Ministry of Defence said the increase was aimed at improving troop welfare and morale.
The retirees, however, want a corresponding review of their pensions.
Military retirees cite legal and constitutional rights
Anas said any implementation of the new salary structure should be accompanied by a consequential adjustment for pensioners, citing constitutional provisions and the Armed Forces Act.
“If they want to implement it by law, constitution, and the Armed Forces Act, there should be a consequential adjustment that is an increase in the pay of pensioners to meet up to par,” he said.
He also alleged that pensioners were excluded from the computation of funds required for implementing the latest salary adjustment.
He warned that continued non-adjustment could deepen inequalities among pensioners.
Military retirees threaten presidential villa march
The protesters said they would continue pressing for action if their demands were not addressed.
Anas warned that the pensioners could march to the Presidential Villa in the coming days if the Federal Government failed to resolve the issue.
The protest comes as the government prepares to implement the latest salary increase for serving military personnel from September. While the Federal Government has highlighted the new package as a significant improvement in troop welfare, the pensioners are demanding that the benefits of salary reviews extend to retirees.
Their central demand is for the authorities to clarify the status of outstanding consequential adjustments and ensure that retired personnel are treated fairly under the applicable pension and military service framework.
