The Federal Government has moved to calm concerns among military retirees over their pensions, with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, assuring veterans that salary increases for serving personnel will trigger corresponding adjustments to their pensions. Oluyede gave the assurance in Yola, Adamawa State, while engaging with military veterans from the North-East Zone […]
The Federal Government has moved to calm concerns among military retirees over their pensions, with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, assuring veterans that salary increases for serving personnel will trigger corresponding adjustments to their pensions.
Oluyede gave the assurance in Yola, Adamawa State, while engaging with military veterans from the North-East Zone on their welfare and other concerns.
His statement came just one day after retired military personnel took their grievances to the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, protesting the failure to implement pension increases linked to salary adjustments for serving members of the armed forces.
The retirees were particularly demanding corresponding adjustments following the latest salary increase for military personnel announced in August, which is expected to take effect from September.
The protest was subsequently suspended after Defence Minister Christopher Musa assured the veterans that the issues raised would be addressed.
During his engagement with the veterans, Oluyede said the current salary review for serving personnel was already being implemented and would have implications for the pensions of retired personnel.
He cited existing government policy, which provides for consequential increases in veterans’ pensions whenever the salaries and emoluments of serving military personnel are adjusted.
“In line with extant policies, adjustments to the emoluments of serving personnel have a consequential increase to the pensions of veterans,” the CDS said.
The assurance is expected to ease concerns among retirees who have repeatedly sought improved welfare and timely implementation of pension adjustments.
Oluyede also outlined other measures being pursued by the Defence Headquarters to improve the welfare of veterans and their families.
Among them is a collaboration with the Bank of Industry to enable serving and retired personnel access low-interest loans for business ventures.
The CDS further disclosed that a percentage of patronage at the Defence Hospital currently under construction would be reserved for veterans.
According to Oluyede, the initiatives have the support of President Bola Tinubu, who has provided resources for measures designed to recognise the sacrifices of military personnel, both serving and retired.
The veterans used the meeting to present additional welfare concerns, with the CDS promising that their issues would continue to receive appropriate attention.
Oluyede also paid tribute to the retirees for their service and sacrifices in defending Nigeria, stressing that retirement from active service would not erase the nation’s appreciation for their contributions.
“The uniform may have been taken off, but the nation’s gratitude will never fade,” he said.
Speaking for the veterans, Maj. Gen. H.A. Salihu (retd.), President of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association, thanked the CDS for the engagement and called on retired personnel to support efforts by the military leadership to improve the welfare of both serving and retired members.