Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has proposed a 200 per cent gratuity for retired police officers. The move is part of efforts to fix long-standing pension problems in the Nigeria Police Force.
A presidential committee is now reviewing the proposal. It was set up to study the concerns of police personnel and recommend lasting solutions to the pension crisis.
What The Proposal Offers
Under the plan, eligible officers could retire on pensions tied to their last salaries. They would also receive the enhanced gratuity.
The package is meant to address repeated protests by serving officers. They want to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme, which remains a contentious issue in the force.
The plan also seeks to clear outstanding pension liabilities and improve retirement benefits. It aims to build a more efficient pension administration system as well.
It would also extend to officers who retired before any new framework takes effect. Their benefits would be reviewed in line with the revised terms.
Who Is Reviewing It
The committee includes representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. It also has members from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation and the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
Disu is expected to keep engaging the Presidency, PenCom and other bodies. The talks will focus on funding, outstanding liabilities and benefit administration.
Pension Relief So Far
President Bola Tinubu’s intervention has raised hopes among retirees. Many had complained about poor benefits, late payments and administrative delays.
The Federal Government has reportedly cleared backlogs that left some retirees waiting up to two years. It has also raised pensions, with some beneficiaries receiving nearly double their earlier payments.
Not Yet Approved
The 200 per cent gratuity is still a proposal. It depends on the committee’s recommendations, government approval, funding and implementation guidelines.
The final decision will set the eligibility rules. It will also decide whether the changes cover serving officers nearing retirement and current pensioners.
