Tension flared in Abuja on Monday morning as scores of retired Nigerian soldiers barricaded the main entrance to the Federal Ministry of Finance, demanding the immediate payment of their gratuities, Security Debarment Allowance (SDA), parking allowance, and salary shortfalls.
The protest, which began as early as 7 a.m., disrupted operations at the ministry headquarters, leaving civil servants stranded and unable to access the building for several hours.
The ex-servicemen comprising both male and female retirees carried placards with strong messages highlighting their frustrations. One placard read: “We are 1st and 2nd Quarter Retirees of NA 2003. We are living heroes and deserve to be recognized and treated right not only celebrated as fallen heroes when we are no more.” Another stated: “We the voluntarily discharged soldiers of 2024 demand full payment of our benefits, including shortfalls in gratuity, SDA, parking allowance, and four months’ salary cuts.”
Pensions Board Chair, Finance Officials Intervene
In an effort to calm the situation, Chairman of the Military Pensions Board (MPB), Air Vice Marshal Adamu, arrived at the protest site and appealed to the demonstrators to stand down. However, the retirees stood their ground, insisting on firm assurances before considering any withdrawal.
Subsequently, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, accompanied by other senior officials, arrived and invited selected representatives of the protesting group and the MPB Chairman into a closed-door meeting to address the demands.
“We Want Alerts, Not Promises” – Protesters Demand Action
Speaking to journalists, Corporal Umar Faruq (rtd.), a retired soldier and engineer, alleged that the MPB had wrongly denied them eligibility for the new national minimum wage, claiming their disengagement date of July 1, 2024 excluded them from the adjustment.
“We were told we’re not entitled to the minimum wage because we left on July 1, 2024. That’s unacceptable,” Faruq said.
Another protester declared that they would not leave the premises until the MPB Chairman personally addressed them with confirmation that funds have been disbursed and that payment alerts had started rolling in.
“We’ve waited too long. This isn’t about speeches or meetings. We want alerts on our phones. That’s when we’ll leave,” the protester said firmly.
Background and Wider Implications
This is not the first time ex-servicemen have taken to the streets over delayed benefits, highlighting a long-standing issue in the management of military pensions and entitlements in Nigeria.
The Federal Government has yet to issue an official response, but Monday’s protest has once again spotlighted the welfare concerns of Nigeria’s retired military personnel, many of whom say they’ve been left to fend for themselves despite years of dedicated service.
