Military Retirees Block Pensions Board Office in Abuja Over Pension Adjustment Formula

Military retirees on Tuesday barricaded the entrance to the Military Pensions Board office in Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, protesting the formula used 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.

This is the second protest in recent weeks. Military retirees had earlier demonstrated at the Ministry of Defence in September, demanding a pension increase to match the recent salary adjustments for serving military personnel.

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

However, the veterans say they’re dissatisfied with the formula adopted by the Military Pensions Board to calculate the adjustments, alleging that it has short-changed some retirees. Their main grievance is that the formula doesn’t adequately reflect the salary increases granted to serving military personnel, the same increases that triggered their earlier protest.

Tuesday’s demonstration highlights lingering concerns among retired military personnel over their welfare and pension entitlements, despite the Defence Minister’s earlier assurance.

The retirees are demanding a fair adjustment that properly accounts for the salary increases that prompted their initial protest.