Abuja, Nigeria — Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, alongside political commentator Deji Adeyanju and activist Dan Bello, led a peaceful protest in Abuja on Monday to demand improved welfare for serving and retired police officers in Nigeria.

The demonstration, tagged #PoliceProtest, featured retired police personnel and civil society activists who called for comprehensive reforms to the police welfare system, particularly the Contributory Pension Scheme, which the retirees claim has subjected them to economic hardship after decades of service.

Protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Pay Police Now!”, “End Police Slavery,”, “We Serve, We Bleed, We Deserve Better Pay,” and “No Nigeria Police Officer Should Earn Less Than ₦500,000 a Month.” The participants marched to the Force Headquarters and the National Assembly to press their demands.

Key Demands

The protesters are calling for:

  • Abolition of the Contributory Pension Scheme for police officers.

  • Implementation of a minimum salary of ₦500,000 for serving police officers.

  • Comprehensive life insurance for officers, both serving and retired.

  • Improved support for families of deceased officers.

Speaking at the event, Sowore emphasised the need for government accountability and fairness in remuneration for security personnel.

“No police officer in Nigeria should earn less than ₦500,000 monthly. Their work is critical to national security, and yet many live in poor conditions even after 35 years of service,” Sowore said.

He further criticised the disparity between the remuneration of security operatives and that of public office holders.

“A senator earns millions every month, but police officers who protect national institutions and citizens struggle to afford basic needs,” he added.

Sowore also addressed those questioning why activists are advocating for the police despite longstanding concerns about misconduct within the force.

“While the police have been criticised for various abuses, the reality is that poor welfare contributes to the system’s failings. We need to improve the system to expect better service delivery,” he noted.

Retired Officers' Grievances

The retired officers expressed concerns that the current pension arrangement under the National Pension Commission (PenCom) has been inadequate. They alleged that after years of service, their take-home benefits are insufficient for basic living expenses, leading to financial distress among retirees.

One retiree reportedly lamented receiving as low as ₦900,000 as retirement benefits after decades of service.

The protest followed recent statements by the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers (Kaduna Chapter), which described the contributory pension system as "oppressive" and demanded policy changes to enhance retirees’ welfare.

Background

Nigeria’s police force has faced persistent challenges, including underfunding, poor barracks conditions, and delayed entitlements. Despite previous government promises to enhance police welfare and salaries—such as a proposed salary increase announced in 2021—implementation has reportedly been slow.

The protest reflects broader national discussions around economic justice and governance as the country grapples with inflation and cost-of-living increases.

Conclusion

Participants called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the National Assembly to address the grievances raised, ensure reforms in the pension system, and improve overall welfare for Nigeria’s police personnel.

The demonstration concluded peacefully, with protesters pledging to continue advocacy until concrete steps are taken by the authorities.