A large group of retired Nigerian soldiers staged a fresh protest on Thursday in Abuja, blocking access to the Federal Ministry of Finance. Their demonstration was fueled by grievances over unpaid entitlements and what they described as the government’s failure to release funds to the Military Pensions Board (MPB). These funds, according to the pensioners, are crucial for clearing the backlog of pension arrears owed to them.
The ex-servicemen explained that they were compelled to return to the streets because officials at the Ministry of Finance did not fulfill earlier assurances. The ministry had reportedly promised that the entitlements would be settled by August 10, following discussions held earlier in the month. On August 4, the retired soldiers had suspended a previous protest after meetings with representatives from both the Ministries of Defence and Finance. At that time, government officials pledged to resolve the issue quickly, but the pensioners claim those commitments were never acted upon.
Speaking during the protest, one of the demonstrators popularly known as “Mama G” expressed disappointment at the government’s silence. She emphasized that the veterans felt abandoned despite their sacrifices for the country, adding that this time their protests would escalate until the promised payments were delivered.
In recent years, Nigerian military retirees have frequently staged demonstrations in Abuja and other major cities, citing persistent delays in pension disbursements. Many of them argue that they are being unfairly neglected after years of loyal service to the nation.
As of the time of reporting, there had been no official response from the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Headquarters, or the Military Pensions Board regarding the renewed protests. The silence has further fueled frustration among the pensioners, who insist they will continue to demand justice until their entitlements are fully paid.