The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has urged Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to urgently transmit the bill seeking to remove the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to the President for assent, warning that continued delay could undermine justice, police morale and national security.
In an open letter dated February 12, 2026, Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, described the pension reform as a critical moral, institutional and security issue, stressing that thousands of retired police officers are anxiously awaiting action on the bill, which the Senate passed on December 4, 2025.
According to Nwanguma, the matter extends beyond administrative procedure, highlighting long-standing welfare challenges affecting both serving and retired officers.
“This is not merely an administrative matter. It is a moral, institutional and national security question,” he stated.
He explained that RULAAC has consistently documented the poor welfare conditions of police personnel, noting that systemic neglect has left many retirees impoverished and frustrated after decades of service.
“We have argued that poor welfare fuels corruption, weakens morale and undermines public trust in law enforcement. Reforming police pensions is therefore not a concession — it is a strategic imperative,” Nwanguma said.
He said the appeal by the Police Retired Officers Forum (PROF) reflects deep anxiety among retired officers, many of whom rely on irregular and inadequate pension payments under the CPS.
“Their call for exit from the CPS is rooted in lived experience, not sentiment,” he added.
Nwanguma commended the Senate for passing the bill but expressed concern that it has yet to be transmitted to the President, warning that prolonged delays could generate suspicion and reduce confidence in the legislative process.
“Any prolonged delay, whether procedural or political, inevitably breeds suspicion and erodes confidence in the process,” he said.
He further warned that the welfare of police officers is closely linked to national security, especially at a time when Nigeria faces multiple security challenges including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
“A demoralised force, uncertain about its future and resentful about its retirement security, cannot optimally protect citizens or support democratic stability,” Nwanguma stated.
He stressed that meaningful police reform must address structural welfare concerns such as poor salaries, inadequate housing, lack of insurance coverage and pension insecurity.
“If we expect professionalism, restraint and accountability from officers, the state must uphold its reciprocal obligation of dignity and security in retirement,” he said.
Nwanguma also emphasised the unique risks associated with policing, noting that officers regularly face physical danger, psychological stress and social hostility.
“A pension framework that fails to acknowledge these realities is inherently flawed,” he noted.
He called on Akpabio to demonstrate leadership by facilitating the immediate transmission of the bill to the President, describing the action as vital to strengthening institutional confidence and national stability.
“The transmission of this Bill presents an opportunity for your office to affirm the Senate’s commitment to justice, institutional strengthening and national stability,” he said.
Nwanguma added that improving police welfare would enhance accountability, strengthen the rule of law and support economic growth.
“Security and development are inseparable,” he stated.
He described protesting retired officers as veterans deserving urgent attention, noting that many are elderly, ill and struggling financially.
“Their appeal deserves urgency, transparency and closure,” he said.
Nwanguma concluded by urging swift action, warning that delays in pension security amount to injustice.
“Nigeria cannot afford a police institution weakened by welfare neglect. Justice delayed in matters of pension security is justice denied,” he said.
