Military Retirees Protest Unpaid Benefits, Block Finance Ministry

On Tuesday, retired military personnel staged a protest by barricading the entrance to the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, demanding the full payment of their long-overdue entitlements. The protest, which involved the veterans setting up canopies and chairs to block the entrance, follows a similar demonstration in December when retirees shut down the ministry over the government’s failure to settle their benefits after years of service to the nation.

The retirees have consistently been told that there were no available funds to clear their dues, despite official approval for the payments. They are reportedly owed pension increments of 20 to 28 percent for the period of January to November 2024.

In addition to the pension arrears, the retirees are demanding payments for other outstanding benefits, such as palliatives for the period between October 2023 and November 2024, an extra N32,000 added to their pensions, a lump sum for the Security Debarment Allowance, and a refund of pension deductions from the salaries of medically boarded soldiers.

Following the December protests, the federal government made a partial payment, settling 50% of the owed entitlements and promising to pay the remaining balance. However, the retirees claim that the government has failed to fulfill its promise, prompting them to resume their protests.

On Tuesday, the retirees set up canopies and chairs, blocking the entrance to the Ministry of Finance headquarters. Their actions prevented ministry staff from accessing the premises, forcing many to park their vehicles outside as they called for the government to honor its financial commitments.