Military Retirees Protest Pension Adjustment Formula in Abuja

Military retirees on Tuesday barricaded the entrance to the Military Pensions Board office in Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, protesting against the formula adopted to adjust their pensions.

The protesting veterans blocked access to the premises with canopies and chairs, while armed soldiers prevented them from entering the office.

The demonstration followed an earlier protest by retired military personnel at the Ministry of Defence in September, during which they demanded an increase in their pensions following salary adjustments for serving military personnel.

Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, had reportedly assured the retirees that their pensions would be increased in October.

However, the veterans have expressed dissatisfaction with the formula adopted by the Military Pensions Board to calculate the adjustments, alleging that the method has short-changed some retirees.

Their grievance centres on what they describe as the failure of the adjustment formula to adequately reflect the salary increases granted to serving military personnel.

The retirees are demanding a fairer review of the calculation method, insisting that the pension adjustments should properly account for the salary changes that prompted their earlier demonstration.

The latest protest highlights continuing concerns over the welfare and pension entitlements of retired military personnel, despite the earlier assurance by the Defence Minister.

The retirees are seeking an adjustment they believe would more adequately reflect the salary increases received by serving personnel.

As of the time of filing this report, no further details were available on whether the Military Pensions Board had responded to the latest demonstration or whether discussions had been initiated to address the retirees’ grievances.