Military veterans staged a protest on Tuesday by blocking the entrance to the Military Pensions Board office in Kubwa, Abuja. They are upset about the formula used to adjust their pensions, which they believe is unfair.
The veterans set up canopies and chairs to block access starting at 8:00 AM. They are protesting alleged irregularities in pension payments approved by President Bola Tinubu. Armed soldiers were present to prevent the protesters from entering the premises.
This protest follows a similar demonstration last month at the Ministry of Defence, where military retirees called for higher pensions after salary increases for active military personnel.
Lt Col Innocent Azubike, the Coordinator of the Veterans Association of Nigeria, criticized the pension adjustment formula. He claims it short-changes many retirees, especially those with fewer years of service. Azubike explained that some veterans are receiving only a fraction of the pension increase that was promised.
“Over 90 percent of military veterans and retirees are very angry,” Azubike said. He noted that the criteria for calculating pensions were not applied consistently, leading to some veterans receiving much less than they were entitled to.
The veterans are demanding a fair review of the pension adjustment formula, which they argue does not reflect the salary increases given to serving military personnel.
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