Retired military personnel staged a protest in Abuja on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, over the alleged non-implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions following salary increases approved for serving military personnel.
The pensioners gathered at an open field in Area 10, Garki, near the Ministry of Defence, carrying placards with various inscriptions urging the Federal Government to implement outstanding salary adjustments in their pensions.
President Tinubu Approves New Salary Scale for Serving Officers
President Tinubu had recently approved a new salary scale for serving military officers with a view to bolstering their performance across all theatres of operations in the country. Personnel from the rank of Colonel to Warrant Officer were approved for a 50 per cent increase, while soldiers from Staff Sergeant to Private were to receive an 80 per cent increase.
The retired military officers, drawn from the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), and others, argue that the recent increment should not have left them out, having served the country diligently for 35 years or more.
Protesters Demand Consequential Adjustments Under Law
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, Innocent Anas, said pensioners were legally entitled to consequential adjustments whenever the salaries of serving personnel were increased.
He said the salary increase approved for military and paramilitary personnel in November 2025 had yet to be reflected in the pensions of retired personnel.
“Since last year, November last year, Mr President approved the new salary increase for the military and the paramilitary; it’s been in the news all over. November last year, this is August this year; they have not implemented it as if it’s a scam, and then a new pronouncement comes up again,” he said.
Anas argued that failure to implement the adjustments amounted to depriving retired personnel of their constitutional and legal rights.
“We have paid our dues in patriotic service to this nation. There is a constitutional provision that when you increase the pay of any personnel, there should be a consequential allowance, consequential adjustment for pensioners,” he said.
Disparities Among Retirees Warning
According to him, the latest salary structure should also be accompanied by corresponding adjustments to pension payments to prevent retired personnel from being disadvantaged.
“If they want to implement it by law, constitution, and the Armed Forces Act, there should be a consequential adjustment, that is, an increase in the pay of pensioners to meet up to par,” he said.
Anas warned that continued failure to review pensions in line with increases in the salaries of serving personnel would create serious disparities among retirees.
He said some recently retired personnel of lower ranks could end up receiving higher pensions than officers who retired several years earlier.
