The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has formally urged the Federal Government to increase its pension contribution for police officers from the current 10% to 20%, as part of a comprehensive plan to address the welfare concerns of retired officers.

The recommendation was made by PenCom’s Director-General, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, during a visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The move follows a presidential directive from President Bola Tinubu, who recently mandated the commission to find a lasting solution to the long-standing police pension issue.

According to a statement released by PenCom, the proposal to increase the government’s contribution is a key component of a larger reform package. The package is designed to boost police officers’ retirement savings and is aimed at raising their monthly pensions to 75% of their final salary before retirement.

The commission’s intervention is a direct response to persistent protests from retired police officers who have been demanding to be removed from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). The retirees argue that the scheme’s payouts are too low, leaving them in poverty, and point to other security agencies like the military and DSS that have been allowed to exit the scheme.

In her address, Ms. Oloworaran maintained that exiting the CPS would be “unnecessary and counterproductive,” adding that all existing issues can be effectively resolved within the current framework. She also announced other proposed reforms, including a health insurance scheme for retirees and an overhaul of the overall police pension structure.

Inspector-General Egbetokun, in his remarks, acknowledged the challenges faced by police retirees and commended PenCom for its proactive steps. He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to working collaboratively with the commission to find a lasting and dignified solution for all police personnel.