Retired military personnel on Wednesday suspended their planned protest after the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), assured them that the Federal Government would address their concerns over pension adjustments and other welfare issues.
The decision followed a meeting between representatives of the ex-servicemen and officials of the Ministry of Defence at Ship House, Abuja.
One of the protest leaders, Col Innocent Azubike (retd.), said the authorities had acknowledged the legitimacy of their demands and begun taking steps to address them.
“Authorities have accepted our cause was genuine and promised and initiated action also to compute our consequential allowance and include it in the fund requirement for implementation of the new outcome,” Azubike said.
He added that media coverage of the protest had helped draw attention to the retirees’ grievances and prompted the authorities to act.
“That was mission achieved as far as we are concerned. And part of what really made them react was that the media was publicising it. They felt it was becoming a scandal and quickly solved the problem,” he said.
Azubike confirmed that the protesters had dispersed following the meeting.
The Defence Minister, who was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwah, assured the veterans that the government was committed to addressing their concerns over welfare, remuneration and pensions.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesman, Henshaw Ogubike, Musa said matters relating to wage and pension adjustments were receiving urgent attention, with relevant military, pension and financial authorities working towards a sustainable resolution.
“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,” he said.
Musa urged the ex-servicemen to remain calm and embrace dialogue, noting that any adjustment to veterans’ entitlements must be properly calculated, funded and implemented in line with existing approvals and regulations.
The minister also assured the veterans that the Ministry of Defence would continue discussions with their representatives and provide updates as progress was made on their demands.
The protest had earlier been disrupted by a heavy deployment of soldiers and policemen around the Ministry of Defence.
The retirees are demanding that pensioners benefit from consequential adjustments arising from salary increases approved for serving military personnel.
Azubike had earlier clarified that the ex-servicemen were not opposed to salary increases for serving personnel but wanted corresponding adjustments to their pensions.
He also raised concerns about the latest salary increase announced for military personnel in August 2026, which is expected to take effect in September, alleging that retired personnel were excluded from the computation.
Musa, however, acknowledged the sacrifices of retired military personnel and stressed that their welfare remained a priority of the Federal Government.
He reiterated the government’s appreciation of the patriotism and service of military veterans, saying their sacrifices must be recognised through sustained attention to their welfare and legitimate entitlements.
