Retired Military Personnel Protest: Finance Ministry Faces Backlash Over Unpaid Entitlements

Unpaid Entitlements Spark Outrage: Retired Military Personnel Block Finance Ministry

On January 7, 2025, retired military personnel staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, Nigeria, over unpaid entitlements. The protesters blocked the ministry’s entrance, setting up canopies and chairs, and displayed placards demanding the immediate settlement of their outstanding benefits.

This demonstration follows a similar protest in December 2024, after which the Federal Government paid 50% of the owed entitlements and promised to settle the remaining balance. However, the retirees claim that the outstanding payments have not been fulfilled, prompting the renewed protest.

The retirees are demanding full payment of their long-overdue entitlements, including:

• The remaining 50% balance of their arrears.
• Palliatives for the period between October 2023 and November 2024.
• An additional N32,000 added to their pensions.
• A bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance.
• A refund of pension deductions from the salaries of medically boarded soldiers.

The Ministry of Finance has not yet issued an official response to the protest. The situation remains ongoing, with the retirees vowing to continue their demonstration until their demands are met.