IGP Disu Proposes 200% Gratuity, Improved Pensions for Retired Police Officers
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has proposed a 200 per cent gratuity and improved pension benefits for retired police officers as part of efforts to address longstanding concerns about retirement welfare in the Nigeria Police Force.
The proposal is reportedly before a presidential committee tasked with examining the concerns of police personnel and recommending sustainable solutions to pension-related challenges.
The committee comprises representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation and the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
Under the proposed arrangement, eligible officers could receive a gratuity alongside pension benefits linked to their last salaries. The proposal is also expected to address outstanding pension liabilities and improve the administration and payment of retirement benefits.
The reported plan could extend beyond serving officers approaching retirement, with provisions being considered for reviewing the benefits of eligible personnel who have already retired.
However, the proposed changes have not been confirmed as an approved entitlement. Their adoption will depend on the committee’s recommendations, government approval, funding arrangements and the eventual implementation guidelines.
Pension concerns remain
The proposal comes amid continuing concerns over the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), under which police personnel and other eligible workers save towards retirement through pension contributions.
Retired police officers have repeatedly raised concerns about the adequacy of their monthly pensions, delays in receiving benefits and the financial difficulties associated with retirement.
In an October 5 statement published by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Ministry of Police Affairs reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing pension and welfare concerns affecting serving and retired police personnel.
The statement said discussions included demands for the Nigeria Police Force to leave the Contributory Pension Scheme and establish a dedicated pension arrangement for police officers.
It also identified outstanding pension arrears, death benefits, insurance liabilities and other welfare-related entitlements as issues requiring attention.
The Ministry noted that moving to a defined-benefit arrangement would require policy, legal and executive consideration.
Separately, PenCom has published information on presidential directives to advance pension increases, introduce a minimum pension guarantee and address the longstanding police pension issue.
The reported 200 per cent gratuity proposal therefore represents a further development in the broader debate over how to provide adequate and sustainable retirement benefits for police personnel.
For retired officers, the key questions remain whether the proposed package will receive government approval, how it will be funded and whether eligible pensioners already in retirement will benefit.
Until the authorities publish the final terms and implementation arrangements, the proposed gratuity and improved pension structure should not be treated as an existing entitlement.
