Nigeria police pension protest escalates as officers threaten nationwide strike by August over contributory scheme, demand switch to military-style benefits

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigeria police pension protest took a grave turn on Tuesday as aggrieved officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) issued a nationwide strike threat, demanding urgent reforms to what they describe as a “slavery-like” pension arrangement.

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They gave President Bola Tinubu’s administration until the end of July to address their concerns or face a shutdown of police operations across the country.

The officers, who made their grievances public in a strongly worded open letter, accused the Federal Government of deliberate neglect despite being aware of the hardship the current scheme has imposed on thousands of police retirees.

The letter, addressed to President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and other top officials, was obtained by SaharaReporters.

In it, the officers demanded an immediate switch from the Contributory Pension Scheme to the Defined Benefits Pension Plan—currently enjoyed by the military, the EFCC, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and others.

“This shouldn’t come as a surprise to you all,” the officers wrote. “You are all aware of the slavery pension scheme police officers have been made to suffer for many years now. We are saying enough is enough.”

They warned that if their demands were not met, they would embark on what they called the “mother of all strikes” beginning August 1, 2025.

The tone of the letter turned even more alarming as they threatened to violently punish any officer found in uniform during the planned action.

We are saying enough is enough… If the government fails, it will experience another mother of all strikes from August 1. Mark our words.

“During this strike, if any officer is found in uniform performing any duties, he or she may lose his or her life or remain maimed for life,” the letter read.

The CPS was introduced in 2004 through the Pension Reform Act to replace the Defined Benefits Scheme.

Under the CPS, both employer and employee contribute to a Retirement Savings Account managed by private Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

Although designed for sustainability, the scheme has drawn strong criticism—especially from police and paramilitary officers—who say it leaves retirees financially insecure.

Attempts to exempt the police from the CPS have gained traction since 2022, with bills introduced in the National Assembly and calls from civil society. However, no concrete reform has been enacted.

With over 300,000 personnel, the Nigeria Police Force is the country’s largest security agency. A coordinated nationwide strike would severely impact national security, especially amid ongoing unrest in various regions.

Despite the urgency, the presidency and the Ministry of Police Affairs have yet to issue any formal response to the officers’ demands.

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As the end-of-July deadline approaches, tension is rising within the ranks and across Nigeria’s fragile security landscape. The Nigeria police pension protest could spiral into a major national crisis if left unaddressed.