Tinubu approves pension increases, free healthcare for retirees after Police protest

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a series of major reforms aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerian retirees, including a minimum pension guarantee, pension increases, and free healthcare for low-income pensioners.

The move comes in response to a protest by retired police officers in Abuja demanding improved post-service benefits.

The President’s directive followed a briefing at the State House by Omolola Oloworaran, Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), during which she outlined ongoing initiatives to address the challenges facing retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

In a statement released on Wednesday by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu ordered PenCom to “immediately resolve the longstanding pension concerns of retired police officers,” stating that members of the Nigeria Police Force, having served and protected the nation, deserve to retire in dignity and with peace of mind.

“The President was deeply moved by the plight of protesting police retirees,” Onanuga said. “He has directed a swift and lasting resolution to their pension concerns, including a minimum pension floor for CPS beneficiaries.”

During her briefing, PenCom DG Oloworaran presented a roadmap of transformative reforms to safeguard the value of pension assets amid inflation and economic volatility. These include:

President Tinubu backed the proposed reforms and reiterated his administration’s commitment to inclusive economic growth and social protection for all Nigerians, especially vulnerable groups such as retirees.

“We are committed to building a fair and just society where no retiree is left behind,” the President said, according to the statement.

The presidential action comes just days after retired police officers took to the streets of Abuja to protest what they described as inadequate pensions and exclusion from key welfare programs.

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The protest drew national attention to the plight of security personnel under the CPS, many of whom have struggled with delayed payments and poor retirement benefits.

The retirees demanded their removal from the CPS and advocated a return to the defined benefits scheme, citing neglect and systemic inefficiencies.

Stakeholders across the pension industry have hailed the President’s response as a major turning point for pension reform in Nigeria, especially as the CPS continues to evolve in the face of economic challenges.

PenCom is now expected to roll out detailed implementation guidelines for the new directives in the coming weeks, in collaboration with the Ministries of Finance, Labour, and Health.

The latest policy shift reflects the administration’s broader agenda of protecting vulnerable populations, ensuring financial inclusion, and reinforcing trust in public institutions.