Senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force have resolved that the Force should withdraw from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), describing it as unsuitable for the welfare of police personnel.

According to SaharaReporters, an internal wireless message dated August 6, 2025, and issued by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Border Patrol Force, highlighted that the decision was made during a high-level meeting at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Naijaonpoint understands that the meeting, attended by officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above, discussed the pension scheme extensively and unanimously agreed that the police should opt out of the CPS “as it is presently constituted.”

Push for National Assembly Backing

The senior officers further resolved that efforts should now be directed towards the National Assembly to secure the necessary legal framework for a total withdrawal from the scheme.

In the meantime, officers and men of the Force were urged to remain patient, with assurances that steps were being taken to secure the best possible welfare package for them.

The wireless message, circulated to zonal and state commanders as well as border units across the country, stressed that the directive should be treated as very important.

Pressure to Transfer Accounts to NPF Pensions

Before this latest move, there had been pressure from the Nigeria Police Force Pensions Limited (NPF Pensions Ltd.) on officers to transfer their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) to the company.

In a letter dated July 2, 2025, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Kolade Morakinyo, appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to compel officers to complete the transfer before August 31, 2025.

Morakinyo explained that consolidating all RSAs under NPF Pensions Ltd. was essential to building a uniform database that would enable the computation of percentage enhancements based on officers’ ranks and steps.

“There is therefore the compelling need to consolidate all Police personnel RSAs in NPF Pensions Limited so as to have a full and uniform database with which to work out the percentage enhancements according to their ranks and steps,” the letter stated.

Directives from Force Headquarters

Following the appeal, the IGP’s office issued a circular on July 7, 2025, instructing all personnel to transfer their RSAs to NPF Pensions Ltd. immediately.

The order was reinforced on July 10, 2025, through another circular signed by Assistant Inspector-General Godwin I. Eze on behalf of the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of Finance and Administration.

These directives were sent to Deputy and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, police colleges, training schools, commandants, and commissioners of police nationwide.

NPF Pensions Ltd. was established specifically to manage police pensions under the CPS, which is regulated by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Retirees Protest Against Poor Pension

Naijaonpoint reports that the push to exit the CPS comes against the backdrop of nationwide protests by retired police officers on July 21, 2025, in cities such as Abuja, Calabar, and Jalingo.

Led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, the retirees marched peacefully but forcefully, demanding dignity in retirement.

They decried the CPS as exploitative, recounting how some colleagues received only ₦2-₦3 million after 35 years of service, while others were left with meagre monthly stipends of ₦30,000-₦45,000.

Placards carried by protesters read: “Scrap police contributory pension scheme” and “We need our full gratuity.”

They accused pension fund administrators and police leadership of mismanagement, alleging that deductions were often unremitted and records falsified.

With the latest resolution by senior officers, attention now shifts to the National Assembly, where legal amendments would be required for the Police to formally exit the CPS.