President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to soon sign a landmark bill establishing the Nigeria Police Force Pension Board, which will remove police personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and grant them a dedicated pension structure.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman, gave the assurance on Wednesday while reacting to days of protest by retired police officers at the National Assembly.
Yalleman said the House had concluded all legislative work on the bill and transmitted it to the Senate for concurrence, stressing that both chambers were committed to fast-tracking the process.
“We have interacted with the retirees several times. All their prayers were considered. The bill passed first, second and third readings. It was approved and transmitted to the Senate on October 28,” he said.
“God willing, by next week, the bill will be forwarded to the President for assent. Their agitation has been fully addressed.”
He added that the House had earlier adopted a motion directing its leadership to collaborate with the Senate to expedite the concurrence needed to establish the board. Yalleman urged protesting retirees to vacate the National Assembly gate, insisting their demands had already been resolved.
“Those at the gate know everything has been done. Since the House has completed its part, there is no need for further protest,” he said.
Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Police Pensions, Hon. Husaini Mohammed Jallo, described the bill as a major victory for police personnel seeking a pension system similar to that enjoyed by the military and the DSS.
“The police want to exit the contributory pension scheme and operate their own board like the military and the DSS. That is exactly what this legislation provides,” Jallo said.
He noted that the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of Pension, and other stakeholders were already meeting to ensure a seamless transition once the President assents.
The bill — HB 979, Nigeria Police Pension Board (Establishment) Bill — seeks to amend Section 5(1)(a) of the Pension Reform Act to exempt police personnel from the CPS. It also creates a Police Pension Board responsible for administering pensions, gratuities, and ensuring timely payment of benefits.
A key provision in Section 17 states that no retired police officer shall earn less than 85% of total emoluments as pension. In cases where an additional pension is granted due to injury, the combined benefit must not exceed 100% of pensionable emoluments.
Under Section 14, pensions and gratuities will be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Retirement benefits will apply after 35 years of service or at age 60, while voluntary retirement may be taken after 10 years. Benefits also extend to cases of compulsory retirement, efficiency-related reforms, or medical incapacitation.
If a retiree dies within the first five years of retirement, Section 19 allows their next of kin to continue receiving the same pension until the five-year period elapses. Pensions remain non-transferable, non-assignable, and protected from seizure — except for debts owed to the Federal Government or by court order.
With the House having completed its work, the bill now awaits Senate concurrence before being transmitted to President Tinubu.
Yalleman expressed optimism that the President will sign the bill without delay.
“Very soon, this matter will be concluded. There is no controversy. The Senate will pass it, and it will go to Mr. President for assent,” he said.
