Retired Police Officers Reject Tinubu’s Healthcare Rollout Under CPS
Retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have dismissed recent healthcare incentives announced by the Federal Government, insisting that only a complete removal from the scheme will address their concerns.
This rejection comes in the wake of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for the immediate rollout of free healthcare for low-income retirees and the implementation of overdue pension increases.
Protesting Officers: “Healthcare Alone Won’t Solve Our Problem”
Retirees Acknowledge Tinubu’s Gesture, But Demand More
Despite expressing gratitude for the President’s intervention, the protesting officers said the gesture falls short of addressing their main grievance. According to Buba Danjuma, spokesperson for the group, retirees want nothing short of a full exemption from the CPS.
“We are very happy that our cries have reached the President, and we appreciate his directives,” Danjuma said. “However, what we want is our outright exit from the scheme. If we remain under CPS, we will still remain caged.”
Police Retirees Cite Unfair Treatment Compared to Other Security Agencies
Danjuma questioned why police retirees were still under the CPS, while other security agencies, such as the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military, had successfully exited the scheme.
“The DSS and military have all left and didn’t bother to remain under the CPS because of its many disadvantages. Why should we remain?” he asked.
The officers argue that the CPS leaves them financially vulnerable in retirement and does not provide adequate post-service benefits.
Demonstrations Intensify: Police Retirees Block Force Headquarters
On July 21, 2025, the group staged a protest at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to pressure the federal government into meeting their demands. This was the latest in a series of demonstrations calling for total withdrawal from the CPS.
In statements made to the press during the protest, retirees accused the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of lobbying the National Assembly to dismiss their demands.
Shocking Pension Disparities Spark Public Outrage
Retired DSP: “We’re Treated Like Slaves”
A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Lawrence Adekwu, decried the treatment of rank-and-file officers, calling it inhumane and degrading.
He cited the case of a retired DSP who received only ₦2.1 million in gratuity after 35 years of service, compared to a judiciary driver who received ₦8 million.
“We served our country for decades, but now we are treated like slaves. This is injustice,” Adekwu said.
The group urged the federal government to review their retirement benefits and implement a more humane and equitable pension system.
The Bigger Picture: Growing Frustration with CPS Nationwide
The protest by police retirees adds to growing criticism of the Contributory Pension Scheme across Nigeria, especially among former public servants. The demand for a return to the defined benefits pension system continues to gain traction, as many see the CPS as ineffective and unfair.
With increasing pressure from affected retirees, the Tinubu administration faces heightened scrutiny over pension reforms and the future of the CPS.
