The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has raised grave concerns about the deteriorating welfare of retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), warning that the system is weakening morale and instilling fear among serving officers.
Addressing senior police officers in Abuja, the IGP lamented that many retired officers are living in conditions unbefitting of their service to the nation.
“Most retired officers of the Nigeria Police live in conditions that are not only unacceptable but humiliating,” Egbetokun said. “Their monthly pension under the CPS is barely enough to meet their basic needs. Many can no longer afford healthcare, housing, or live a life of dignity.”
He noted that this situation has created widespread anxiety within the Force.
“Among serving officers, there is a growing fear that retirement equals hardship. This perception is seriously eroding morale,” he stated.
His remarks follow a July 21 protest by retired police officers in Abuja, where they demanded to be removed from the CPS and accused the system of shortchanging them for years.
While expressing support for exiting the scheme, Egbetokun urged that any such move must be strategic and not rushed.
“There may be a booby trap in the bill. What’s the use in exiting and jumping into uncertainty?” he warned.
The IGP said the Force had already presented its position before the National Assembly and was working on measures to augment the pensions of affected retirees.
He also criticized the misinterpretation of his caution as opposition to exiting the CPS.
“Some people interpreted my words to mean I’m against our exit. That’s not true. I only asked that we look well before we leap,” he clarified.
In a bid to boost morale, Egbetokun announced a new welfare initiative: any officer who wins the Inspector-General’s Award for Exceptional Professionalism twice consecutively will now be eligible for accelerated promotion.
“This is not just a reward; it’s a commitment to building a culture of excellence, creativity, and patriotism,” he said.
However, the debate took a sharp turn as former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, weighed in, accusing Egbetokun of lacking administrative depth.
“Unfortunately, the man who succeeded me has not known much of what police administration is, other than operations, because he has always been in the field,” Baba said in a media interview.
He also alleged that Egbetokun had at some point supported the pension scheme, contradicting his current stance.
When asked if former and serving IGPs ever engage in dialogue on institutional matters, Baba said such a platform exists but is rarely utilized.
“We have a forum, but the IG’s office is a very busy one. It all depends on who is there and whether he values experience,” Baba remarked.
As debates around police pensions and welfare intensify, both serving and retired officers await concrete reforms that will safeguard their futures and restore faith in the institution.
