President Tinubu expected to sign bill establishing Nigeria Police Force Pension Board

President Tinubu expected to sign bill establishing Nigeria Police Force Pension Board

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to soon give assent to a landmark bill creating the Nigeria Police Force Pension Board, which will manage police pensions and remove officers from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) under the Pension Reform Act.

The assurance came on Wednesday from Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman, Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, while addressing the ongoing protest by retired police officers at the National Assembly gate. Yalleman said the House had completed all legislative processes on the bill and transmitted it to the Senate for concurrence.

“The House has engaged with the retirees multiple times, and all their concerns have been considered. The bill passed first, second, and third readings and was sent to the Senate on October 28,” Yalleman said. “God willing, by next week, it will be forwarded to the President for assent. Their agitation has been fully addressed.”

He added that the House had earlier adopted a motion directing its leadership to liaise with the Senate to fast-track approval, paving the way for the Police Pension Board’s establishment. Yalleman urged the retirees to end their protest, stressing that their demands had been met.

Similarly, Hon. Husaini Mohammed Jallo, Chairman of the House Committee on Police Pensions, described the bill as a historic win for police personnel, granting them the same pension privileges currently enjoyed by the military and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“The police have long sought to exit the contributory scheme and operate their own pension board, like the military and DSS. This legislation provides exactly that,” Jallo said. He noted that the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of Pension, and other stakeholders were already preparing for a smooth transition once the President signs the bill.

The bill—HB 979, Nigeria Police Pension Board (Establishment) Bill—proposes an amendment to Section 5(1)(a) of the Pension Reform Act, exempting police personnel from the CPS and establishing a dedicated Police Pension Board to administer pensions and gratuities.

Key provisions include:

Retired police officers will receive no less than 85% of total emoluments as pension, with combined benefits for injury-related pensions capped at 100% of pensionable emoluments.

Pensions and gratuities will be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Retirement benefits will apply after 35 years of service or at age 60, with voluntary retirement allowed after 10 years. Benefits also cover compulsory retirement, efficiency-related reforms, and medical incapacitation.

In the event of a retiree’s death within five years of leaving service, the next of kin will continue receiving the pension for the remainder of the five-year period.

Pensions and gratuities are non-transferable, non-assignable, and protected from seizure, except for debts owed to the Federal Government or by court order.

With the House having finalized its work, the bill now awaits Senate approval before being sent to President Tinubu. Yalleman expressed confidence that the President will sign it, noting its importance for national security and boosting the morale of police personnel.

“Very soon, this matter will be concluded. There is no controversy. The Senate will pass it, and it will go to Mr. President for assent,” he said.