By Okechukwu Nwanguma,
The National Assembly must not wait for a protest before doing what is right.
Nigeria cannot continue to operate a democracy where justice is dispensed only after agitation, pressure, and the threat of mass action. Responsible governance requires foresight, not reaction.
As at 20 February 2026, the clean copy of the Nigeria Police Pension Reform (Exit) Bill had yet to be transmitted by the Clerk of the National Assembly to the President for assent. This delay is troubling – and unnecessary.
When the Electoral Reform Bill was passed, it was speedily transmitted and promptly assented to by Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The efficiency demonstrated in that instance proves that when political will exists, process does not become an obstacle.
Why, then, should the welfare of retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force be subjected to hesitation?
*Welfare and National Security Are Inseparable*
For decades, Nigeria has expected the Police to perform under extreme pressure – poorly funded, poorly equipped, and often poorly housed. Many officers retire into uncertainty and financial hardship under a pension structure widely criticised as inadequate and unjust.
We cannot continue to preach national security while neglecting the welfare of those entrusted with enforcing it.
Low morale within the Police is not an abstract concept. It manifests in:
– Reduced motivation and institutional loyalty
– Increased vulnerability to corruption
– Weak discipline and operational inefficiency
A security institution that feels abandoned by the state cannot function at its optimal capacity. Police welfare is not charity; it is strategic national investment.
*A Pattern of Reactive Governance*
The update circulating among police retirees signals growing frustration. The suggestion of an indefinite national protest should not be dismissed lightly. But neither should the legislature wait for such escalation before acting.
Governance by protest is a symptom of institutional failure.
The National Assembly must rise above partisan calculations and demonstrate that it can prioritise public good over political expediency. Transmitting the Bill promptly is not merely procedural compliance; it is a statement of values.
If transmitted, we expect that the President will treat the Bill with the same urgency shown in assenting to electoral reforms.
*Beyond Pensions: The Larger Reform Question*
This moment is also an opportunity to confront a deeper issue: systemic neglect of police welfare has historically fueled corruption, extortion, and impunity within the Force.
One cannot demand professionalism from officers while institutionalising insecurity in their retirement.
If Nigeria is serious about tackling insecurity, restoring public trust, and reforming policing culture, then police welfare reform must be part of that architecture.
Justice for retirees strengthens morale for serving officers.
Dignity in retirement strengthens integrity in service.
The National Assembly has a choice:
– Act now, responsibly and decisively; or
– Act later, under pressure and public scrutiny.
Statesmanship requires the former.
History will record whether this generation of lawmakers chose political convenience or national responsibility.
Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma is the Executive Director, RULAAC
