Disu disclosed the proposal on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in Abuja, explaining that it was before a presidential committee established to examine the concerns of police personnel and recommend sustainable solutions to the pension crisis.
Under the proposed arrangement, eligible officers could receive an enhanced gratuity alongside monthly pension benefits linked to their last salaries.
The initiative is also expected to address complaints about inadequate retirement benefits, delayed pension payments and administrative difficulties affecting retired personnel.
However, the proposal has not been approved as a new entitlement. Its implementation will depend on the presidential committee’s recommendations, government approval, funding arrangements and the issuance of relevant guidelines.
Presidential Committee Reviews Police Pension Reform
According to reports of Disu’s remarks, the presidential committee was established to examine the challenges facing serving and retired police officers and recommend a sustainable framework for improving retirement benefits.
The committee comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation and the National Pension Commission, known as PenCom.
These institutions have responsibilities relating to public expenditure, salaries, pension administration and government financial planning.
Their participation is expected to help assess the financial implications of the proposed reforms and determine how any revised benefits could be funded and administered.
Disu said the proposed arrangement was intended to improve the retirement conditions of police personnel and address concerns that have persisted within the force.
The committee is expected to consider outstanding pension liabilities, funding requirements and administrative procedures as part of its recommendations.
The outcome will determine whether the proposed package is adopted and the categories of officers who may qualify for any approved changes.
What the Proposed 200% Gratuity Means
Gratuity is a lump-sum payment made to an eligible employee upon retirement or separation from service, depending on the applicable employment and pension rules.
The proposed 200 per cent gratuity would represent a substantial change to retirement benefits if adopted, although the precise calculation and eligibility conditions will depend on the final framework approved by the government.
The proposal also includes linking eligible officers’ pension benefits to their last salaries.
This would represent a significant change for retirees whose current benefits may not provide sufficient financial support to meet living expenses after leaving active service.
However, the available announcement does not establish a final formula for calculating the proposed gratuity, the precise pension percentage, or whether every category of police officer would qualify.
Those details remain subject to the committee’s recommendations and the government’s eventual decision.
The distinction is important because the proposal should not be interpreted as an immediate increase in payments to all retired police officers.
Police Officers Seek Exit From Contributory Pension Scheme
The proposed reforms come amid longstanding concerns among serving and retired police personnel about the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
Police officers have repeatedly called for a review of the scheme, arguing that their retirement benefits do not adequately reflect their years of service and the risks associated with policing.
Some serving officers have also demanded that the Nigeria Police Force be removed from the contributory arrangement.
The debate has focused on the adequacy of retirement payments, access to pension contributions, administrative delays and the ability of retirees to maintain a reasonable standard of living after leaving the service.
Disu’s proposed package is expected to form part of efforts to address these grievances and improve confidence in the pension system.
However, any decision to change the existing arrangement would require consideration of the legal, financial and administrative implications, including how accrued benefits and existing pension obligations would be handled.
The presidential committee’s recommendations are therefore expected to play an important role in determining the direction of the proposed reforms.
Proposal May Cover Existing Retirees
Another significant aspect of the proposal is the possibility of extending revised benefits to officers who retired before a new pension framework takes effect.
According to reports of Disu’s remarks, the proposed arrangement seeks to provide for a review of existing retirees’ benefits in line with any revised terms, rather than limiting improvements to officers who retire in the future.
If adopted, such a provision could be important for pensioners who have already spent years receiving retirement benefits under the existing system.
However, it remains unclear which categories of existing retirees would qualify, how their benefits would be reviewed and whether adjustments would be applied retrospectively.
These questions would need to be addressed in the final policy and implementation guidelines.
The committee is expected to consider the financial obligations associated with any extension of benefits to existing pensioners before making its recommendations.
Tinubu’s Intervention Raises Expectations
Disu’s proposal comes amid renewed efforts to resolve pension-related grievances within the Nigeria Police Force.
President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the matter has raised expectations among retired officers who have complained about inadequate benefits, delayed payments and administrative bottlenecks.
Reports on the proposed reform indicate that the Federal Government has cleared outstanding pension payment backlogs that previously left some retirees waiting for up to two years.
Pension adjustments have also reportedly increased payments for some beneficiaries, with some receiving nearly twice their previous amounts.
Despite these interventions, concerns remain about the long-term adequacy of retirement benefits and the sustainability of the existing pension arrangements.
For many retired officers, pensions are an important source of income used to pay for food, accommodation, transportation and healthcare.
Rising living costs have added to the pressure on pensioners who depend on fixed monthly payments to meet their expenses.
The proposed reforms are intended to address these concerns, but their eventual impact will depend on the benefits approved, the funding available and the efficiency of the payment system.
Funding Remains a Major Consideration
Implementing a 200 per cent gratuity and pension benefits linked to officers’ last salaries would require a detailed assessment of the financial implications.
The government would need to determine the number of eligible beneficiaries, the cost of the proposed payments, the funding sources and the treatment of existing pension obligations.
The committee is expected to examine these issues alongside administrative arrangements needed to ensure that approved benefits are paid accurately and on time.
Any revised framework would also need to clarify how it would apply to serving officers approaching retirement and pensioners already receiving payments.
Without an approved funding plan and clear eligibility rules, the proposal cannot be treated as an established benefit.
The involvement of the Ministry of Finance, Budget Office and PenCom is therefore important to assessing the viability of the proposed changes.
What Happens Next?
The presidential committee is expected to examine the proposal and recommend measures for addressing the pension challenges facing serving and retired police officers.
Its work includes considering the outstanding liabilities, funding arrangements and administrative reforms required to support any new retirement-benefit framework.
The Federal Government will then need to consider the recommendations and determine whether to approve the proposed changes.
Until that process is completed, retired police officers should not assume that the proposed 200 per cent gratuity or full-salary pension has become an enforceable entitlement.
The final decision will determine whether the proposals are adopted, who qualifies and when any approved reforms may take effect.
Conclusion
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has proposed a 200 per cent gratuity and enhanced pension benefits linked to officers’ last salaries as part of efforts to reform retirement arrangements in the Nigeria Police Force.
The proposal is currently before a presidential committee comprising key government financial and pension institutions.
The proposed reforms are intended to address complaints about inadequate pensions, delayed payments and the challenges associated with the Contributory Pension Scheme. They may also provide for a review of benefits for officers who have already retired.
However, the proposal remains subject to further review, government approval, funding arrangements and implementation guidelines.
For serving and retired police officers, the committee’s recommendations and the government’s eventual decision will determine whether the proposed improvements become reality.
