Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has urged for urgent reforms to address the financial difficulties faced by retired police officers under the current Contributory Pension Scheme.
Speaking at an interactive session with retired officers in Abuja on Tuesday, the IG acknowledged that the scheme, while intended to ensure long-term sustainability, has resulted in financial hardship for many retirees.
Egbetokun emphasized that the situation was “unacceptable” and vowed to seek solutions to improve the financial security of retired officers who had dedicated years to serving the nation. “The Contributory Pension Scheme leaves the majority of police retirees in difficult financial conditions after years of dedicated service,” he said.
The IGP highlighted the slow and frustrating access to pension entitlements as a key issue facing retirees, noting that upon taking office, he was met with strong calls for the Nigeria Police Force to exit the scheme. In response, he established a committee, led by Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) DanMallam Mohammed, to thoroughly review pension matters and recommend actionable reforms.
Despite some arguments in favor of the scheme due to its professional fund management, Egbetokun stressed that the failures in ensuring the financial security of retired officers could not be ignored. He called for comprehensive discussions among all stakeholders, relying on expert insights and empirical data to reach the best possible outcome.
The IGP’s call for pension reforms comes as part of his broader commitment to improving the welfare of serving and retired police personnel.
