Former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has criticised the police contributory pension scheme, describing it as a failure that has not addressed the welfare needs of retired officers.
Then-President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him to replace Mohammed Adamu, who retired from the Nigeria Police Force in February 2021.
He was replaced by Kayode Egbetokun on June 19, 2023, by President Bola Tinubu.
In a video shared by ESET TV, Baba also questioned the administrative experience of the current Inspector General, Egbetokun, stating that much of Egbetokun’s career has been in field operations rather than core police administration.
He recalled that Egbetokun previously supported the controversial contributory pension system, even when widespread complaints were being raised about it.
Baba added that he has never personally discussed the pension issue with Egbetokun, nor has the current IGP sought his counsel on the matter.
He said, “Like unfortunately the man who succeeded me (Egbetokun), he has not known much of what is police administration rather than operation because he has been on the field.
“There was a time he even supported the pension program and there was a lot of cry.”
When asked whether there is any forum where former Inspectors General and the current IGP meet to discuss issues, Baba responded, “We have forum but you know the IG’s office is a very busy office but it all depends on who is there and how he thinks it is important for him to level on experience.
“Like personally, he has never asked me for anything and I have never said anything to him.”
Regarding the issues with the police pension, Baba lamented that even some of his colleagues have not been paid their retirement benefits.
He said, “I told you we had a joint session of the National Assembly for public hearing and people came. We got people from outside the industry, inside the industry, the retired police officers, how they have been suffering.
“There are some of my colleagues that have not even gotten their retirement benefits up till today and there is this segregation. Like I’m getting my salary every month, and these are my colleagues whom we joined together, progressed together, and are not getting.
“Just last week, Isah, my PA (Personal Assistant), who retired seven months ago, was telling me that he had not gotten one kobo up till today.
“How do you expect performance, loyalty, commitment when you are afraid of retiring? And it is not like the military, where three to four months before you retire, the military will take you to Oshodi and start giving you training on what to do. This one, you work until you retire, the day you go.”
Background
For over a decade, retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force have voiced growing frustration over the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS)—a system introduced in 2014 to replace the corruption-ridden Defined Benefits Scheme. While the CPS was designed to ensure transparency and sustainability, many police retirees say it has failed them.
Under the CPS, officers contribute 8% of their salary while the government adds 10%, with the funds managed by Pension Fund Administrators. But for many retired officers, especially those of lower ranks, the reality has been grim: monthly pensions as low as ₦14,000 to ₦40,000, and gratuities that barely scratch ₦2.5 million after 35 years of service.
Meanwhile, senior officers—those who attained ranks like Inspector-General—are exempt from the scheme and receive significantly better benefits. This disparity has fueled resentment and a sense of abandonment.
On July 21, 2025, thousands of retired officers staged what they called the “Mother of All Peaceful Protests” across Nigeria—from Abuja to Calabar, Ilorin, and Benin City.
Braving heavy rains, elderly ex-officers marched with placards reading “End Police Pension Suffering” and “We Deserve Better After Service.” Their demands were clear: exit the CPS, establish a dedicated Police Pension Board, and pay the ₦758 billion pension shortfall owed to security agencies.
The protest was not just about money—it was a cry for dignity. Many retirees spoke of colleagues who died waiting for their entitlements, and of the emotional toll of being forgotten by the nation they once served.
Egbetokun acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievances and directed Commissioners of Police to ensure the protests remained peaceful. He emphasised that the issue had persisted since 2014 and that exiting the CPS was beyond the remit of any IGP due to legal and fiscal constraints.
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