A group of retired militaryi personnel staged a protest early Monday at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, demanding immediate disbursement of their unpaid entitlements.
The protest, which began around 7:00 a.m., disrupted operations at the ministry, with the ex-servicemen — both male and female — blocking the main entrance and preventing staff from gaining access to their offices. The demonstrators carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, decrying the government’s failure to pay their outstanding benefits.
Their demands include the release of their gratuities, payment of the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA), parking allowances, and the settlement of four months of salary shortfalls. One of the placards read: “We are living heroes and deserve recognition — not just praise after we’re gone.”
The retirees claimed to be part of the 1st and 2nd Quarter retirees of the Nigerian Army (NA) 2003 set, as well as voluntary discharged personnel from 2024. They said they had been left in limbo despite having served the country with loyalty and sacrifice.
Efforts by the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board (MPB), Air Vice Marshal Adamu, to pacify the protesters were unsuccessful as the retirees demanded concrete assurances. Tensions eased only when senior officials, including the Permanent Secretary of the Finance Ministry, intervened and invited selected protest leaders and the MPB Chairman for a closed-door meeting.
Speaking with journalists, retired Corporal Umar Faruq criticized the MPB’s alleged position that those disengaged as of July 1, 2024, are not eligible for the new national minimum wage. Another protester vowed they would not vacate the premises until the MPB gave confirmation that funds had been released and payment alerts would begin reflecting.
As of the time of reporting, the emergency meeting was still in session.
