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The Federal Government has commenced the payment of pensions and other entitlements to retired military personnel, including three months’ arrears. This announcement was made by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Ministry of Defence’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike.
The payment follows protests by retired military personnel at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, where they voiced frustration over unpaid entitlements. The retirees were demanding the overdue 20% to 28% salary increment promised from January to November 2024, along with overdue palliative payments for the period from October 2023 to November 2024. They also sought an additional N32,000 added to their pensions, bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance, and the refund of pension deductions from the salaries of medically boarded soldiers.
Minister Matawalle confirmed that the government had begun releasing funds for the payment of the salary increases, with retirees already receiving alerts for the disbursements. He commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the welfare of both serving and retired military personnel, emphasizing that the payment of pension arrears will continue to be prioritized.
Matawalle also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, for his efforts in facilitating the payments. He reassured the Nigerian military of the President’s unwavering dedication to improving their living conditions and boosting morale as they tackle national security challenges.
The Minister further emphasized the vital role of both retired and serving military personnel in combating insecurity and expressed gratitude for their significant contributions to ensuring the nation’s safety.
