CDS assures military retirees of pension increase

Military retirees can expect their pensions to be adjusted upwards whenever serving personnel receive salary increases, according to Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede. He provided this assurance during an interactive session with military veterans in Yola, Adamawa State, addressing concerns about pension adjustments.

This statement comes just a day after retired military personnel staged a protest at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja. The retirees were demanding corresponding increases in their pensions, particularly following a salary adjustment for active military personnel that was announced in August and set to take effect in September. The protest was eventually suspended after the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), promised that their demands would be addressed.

Gen. Oluyede clarified that the ongoing salary review for serving personnel is comprehensive and already in the implementation phase. "In line with extant policies, adjustments to the emoluments of serving personnel have a consequential increase to the pensions of veterans," he stated, as reported by Maj Samila Uba of the Defence Information Directorate.

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In line with extant policies, adjustments to the emoluments of serving personnel have a consequential increase to the pensions of veterans.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) is actively pursuing several initiatives to enhance the welfare of veterans. These include collaborations with the Bank of Industry to offer low-interest loans for business ventures to both serving and retired personnel and their families. Furthermore, the upcoming Defence Hospital will allocate a portion of its services for veterans.

These welfare measures have the backing of President Bola Tinubu, who has provided the necessary resources to support initiatives aimed at recognizing the sacrifices of military personnel, both active and retired. Gen. Oluyede also addressed other welfare concerns raised by the veterans during the engagement, promising continued attention. He paid tribute to the veterans, stating, "The uniform may have been taken off, but the nation’s gratitude will never fade."

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The uniform may have been taken off, but the nation’s gratitude will never fade.