Retired police officers under the umbrella of the Retired Police Officers Forum of Nigeria have issued an 11-day ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the Police Exit Bill, warning that they may return to the National Assembly for mass action if their demand is ignored.
The retirees said the bill, which seeks to remove serving and retired police personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), was passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025, and transmitted to the President for assent on March 16, 2026.
Addressing journalists in Akure, Ondo State, the National Coordinator of the Forum, Raphael Irowainu, a retired Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), appealed to President Tinubu to sign the bill into law before June 19, 2026.
According to Irowainu, presidential assent to the bill would rank among the most significant decisions in strengthening the nation’s security architecture and boosting the morale of police personnel.
He argued that the move would restore institutional balance among security agencies and improve cooperation across the sector.
The forum also distanced itself from an alleged five-man committee reportedly negotiating with the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) on alternative arrangements instead of a complete withdrawal from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Irowainu insisted that retired police officers across the six geopolitical zones of the country remain united in their demand for a total exit from the scheme.
“Following extensive consultations with retired police officers nationwide, we wish to state clearly that we have not authorised any individual or group to negotiate any arrangement that will dilute, compromise or replace our demand for total exit from PENCOM,” he said.
The retired officers, however, expressed confidence in President Tinubu, describing him as a leader known for fairness, courage and commitment to justice.
They urged the President not to be influenced by any claim suggesting that retired police personnel had accepted alternatives to their demand.
Irowainu noted that other security and intelligence agencies, including the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), operate under the Defined Benefits Scheme and are not subjected to the challenges associated with the Contributory Pension Scheme.
“Our voices are united and unmistakable. Our demand remains total exit from PENCOM. Nothing less,” he declared.
The forum listed its key demands to include presidential assent to the Police Exit Bill, migration of police personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme to the Defined Benefits Pension Scheme, establishment of a Police Pension Board similar to the Military Pension Board, and payment of all accrued rights and pension arrears owed to retirees.
The retired officers warned that if their demands are not met by June 19, they would mobilise and storm the National Assembly once again to press home their grievances.
Irowainu said millions of retired police officers and their families have continued to suffer under what he described as an unfavourable pension arrangement, stressing that urgent action is needed to address their plight.
