FG settles allowances for retired military officers after protests
Following several hours of protest by retired military personnel outside the Ministry of Finance in Abuja, the federal government has begun processing their long-delayed allowances.
The retirees, who had barricaded the entrance to the ministry with canopies and chairs since 7 a.m., prevented staff from entering the building, forcing many to park their vehicles outside. This demonstration mirrors a similar protest held in December 2024, when retirees shut down the ministry over the government’s failure to address their claims.
For months, the retirees had been told there were no funds available to clear their outstanding payments, despite official approval for the disbursements. They are owed salary increments ranging from 20% to 28% for the period between January and November 2024. In addition, they are demanding payments for other outstanding benefits, including palliative allowances for October 2023 to November 2024, an additional ₦32,000 added to their pensions, a bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance, and a refund of pension deductions from the salaries of medically boarded soldiers.
In response to their December protests, the government paid 50% of the owed entitlements and promised to settle the remaining balance. However, the retirees claim the government failed to honor that promise, prompting them to resume their protests on Tuesday.
Despite efforts by a team of police officers, other security personnel, and senior ministry staff to persuade the retirees to disperse, the protesters insisted they would only leave once they received credit alerts for their payments.
Shortly before the retirees began receiving their payments, the Chairman of the Military Pension Board, Air Vice Marshal Paul Irumheson, addressed the protesters, confirming that the necessary funds had been transferred to the board. “We have received the money for the payment of your entitlements, and within the next few minutes, you will begin to see your alerts,” Irumheson said. “We urge you to leave now, as we are working to ensure everyone is paid.”
In an interview, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, spokesman for the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, confirmed that the alerts had started coming through. “Our people have started receiving their payments. We are now leaving the ministry headquarters and heading back to our homes,” Durowaiye-Herberts said.
Aliyu Umar, another leader of the veterans, also confirmed the development, expressing frustration over the government’s previous claims. “Yes, we have started receiving our money. They said there was no money—so where did it come from? Do we always have to protest before they give us what’s owed to us?” he said.
As the payment alerts continued to come through, the retirees began dismantling the canopies and chairs and leaving the protest site, ending the demonstration at the Ministry of Finance in Abuja.
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