Military retirees barricade pensions board office in Abuja over pension dispute

Retired military personnel on Tuesday barricaded the entrance to the Military Pensions Board office in Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, protesting the formula used to calculate adjustments to their pensions.

The demonstrators expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the pension increase, arguing that the method adopted by the board could leave some retirees at a disadvantage.

Armed soldiers were deployed to the premises and prevented the protesters from entering the office. The retirees reportedly used canopies and chairs to block the entrance during the demonstration.

The protest followed an earlier demonstration by retired military personnel at the Ministry of Defence in September, where they demanded that their pensions be adjusted to reflect salary increases granted to serving members of the armed forces.

Defence Minister Christopher Musa had assured the retirees that their pensions would be increased in October following the salary adjustments for serving military personnel.

However, concerns have emerged over how the consequential pension adjustments are being calculated.

Veterans Fault Calculation Formula

The Coordinator of the Veterans Association of Nigeria, Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Azubike, had raised concerns about the formula adopted by the Military Pensions Board.

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Speaking in an interview on Monday, Azubike alleged that the calculation method could disadvantage some retired military personnel and prevent them from receiving the full benefit of the adjustments.

He explained that the planned demonstration was driven by growing dissatisfaction among veterans over the implementation of the pension increase.

According to the retirees, the formula being used does not adequately reflect the salary increases approved for serving military personnel.