FOR MONTHS, veteran military personnel, better known in Nigeria as retired soldiers, endured the pain of unpaid entitlements, tolerated failed and deferred promises of government, and a system that seemed to ignore their sacrifices – of keeping the nation safe – only to find themselves in retirement battling not external enemies but an enemy within.
On January 7, 2025, they decided that enough was enough!
Pensioners across various sectors in the country, more often than not, faced delays! Despite their years of service, Senior Citizens are frequently left to fend for themselves, battling bureaucracy and inefficiency, with many grieving and dying before their time.
In a bold move, these veterans, many elderly and frail, barricaded the Headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, demanding the immediate payment of their unpaid benefits.
Their grievances were not new. It has become a routine over the decades, a grave insult to their service as the backbone of Nigeria’s defence.
But this time around, their voices grew louder, and united by the unjust treatment and denial, they demanded: Pay us what is owed us! This was not just a protest; it was a defiant cry for justice, recognition, and dignity to a government and a system that failed to honour their contributions, and above all, their humanity.
At the heart of the protest were unpaid salary increments of 20% to 28% from January to November 2024.
The retirees also demanded for the palliatives promised them from October 2023 to November 2024, an additional N32,000 pension increment, full payment of the Security Debarment Allowance, and a refund of pension deductions from medically boarded soldiers.
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On the day of the protest, retired soldiers arrived in droves, blocking the Ministry of Finance. The protest caused significant disruptions, halting operations in the building and forcing government officials to reckon with their demands.
Placards with inscriptions like: “Pay us our entitlements now!” and “We served with honour; treat us with dignity” dotted the protest site. Many shared harrowing stories of their struggles, including an inability to afford basic necessities due to unpaid benefits.
The protest was not without its emotional moments. Veterans spoke of their service with pride but lamented the government’s inability to fulfil its financial obligations.
As the pressure mounted, the federal government acted. By January 8, 2025, while many of the protesters were still at the barricades, some began receiving payment alerts on their phones. The news spread quickly among the group, leading to cheers and a dismantling of the blockade.
This swift response suggests that the government recognised the gravity of the situation.
However, questions remain about why it took such a dramatic display of discontentment from the veterans to prompt government action.
The delayed payment of benefits to retired military personnel is part of a broader malaise of compensation in Nigeria.
Pensioners across various sectors in the country, more often than not, faced delays! Despite their years of service, Senior Citizens are frequently left to fend for themselves, battling bureaucracy and inefficiency, with many grieving and dying before their time.
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The protest by the veterans echoes the sentiments of many Nigerians who feel neglected by a system that prioritises the welfare and comfort of the minute clique of the ruling class who have perfected the art of oppression of the majority.
The greatest take-home for members of Nigeria’s ruling class from the veterans’ protest is not just that the government responded with the payment of the benefits. Rather, the most pungent lesson is that it serves as a reminder of the power of Collective Action, while also highlighting the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s pension system.
While the government’s payment of entitlements is a welcome relief, it is not the end of the story. Many retirees are still waiting for the full disbursement of their benefits, which may not come soon. Above all, public trust in the system remains fragile.
To prevent future protests, the government must implement policies that ensure prompt payment of pensions and other benefits, to not only military veterans, but all veteran Nigerian workers who devoted the best part of their lives to serve Nigeria.
The plight of Nigeria’s senior citizens – whether retired soldiers, retired policemen/women and retired civil servants – definitely call for a redirection of national focus on the need for a broader conversation about governance, accountability, and a fair social and economic justice system.
The greatest take-home for members of Nigeria’s ruling class from the veterans’ protest is not just that the government responded with the payment of the benefits. Rather, the most pungent lesson is that it serves as a reminder of the power of Collective Action, while also highlighting the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s pension system.
As the veterans returned home, some with payments in their pockets and others still waiting, the nation must reflect on how it treats those who have sacrificed so much.
For now, the barricades may have come down, but the fight for dignity and respect for Nigeria’s retired soldiers, and indeed, all retirees and workers of whatever shade, must continue!
