Defence minister meets ex-servicemen, promises to address demands

Nigeria's Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, has assured protesting military veterans that the Federal Government is committed to addressing their concerns regarding pension adjustments and overall welfare. The assurance came during a meeting with representatives of the ex-servicemen at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.

The veterans are specifically demanding the implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions, which they argue should align with recent salary increases approved for currently serving military personnel. Their protest highlights a perceived disparity in remuneration between active and retired members of the armed forces.

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Concerns relating to wage and pension adjustments are receiving urgent attention, with relevant military, pension and financial authorities being engaged to achieve a fair, sustainable and implementable resolution that ensures veterans are not unfairly disadvantaged.

Gen. Musa, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, acknowledged the sacrifices of retired military personnel and reiterated that their welfare remains a priority. He stated that issues related to wage and pension adjustments are receiving "urgent attention." The ministry is actively engaging with relevant military, pension, and financial authorities to achieve a resolution that is fair, sustainable, and implementable, ensuring veterans are not disadvantaged.

The meeting occurred amidst a significant security presence around the ministry, as armed soldiers and police had previously prevented the veterans from converging for a planned protest. The minister appealed to the veterans to remain calm and engage in dialogue, emphasizing that sustained communication is the most effective path to resolving the outstanding issues. He stressed that any adjustments to entitlements must be properly computed, funded, and implemented following due process.

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Any adjustment to veterans’ entitlements must be properly computed, adequately funded and implemented in accordance with extant approvals, regulations and due process.