By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has agreed to work closely with the Senate to resolve the ongoing protest by retired police officers who have remained at the entrance of the National Assembly for almost two months, raising concerns about alleged breaches of the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The development was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance raised by Rep Okey-Joe Onuakalusi on Wednesday at plenary, who drew attention to the harsh conditions the pensioners are enduring as they accuse the National Pension Commission of mishandling their entitlements and failing to implement the proposed Distinct Special Police Pension Scheme. 
The retirees are urging the National Assembly to approve the bill that seeks to establish a Police Pension Board and formally remove the Nigeria Police from the contributory pension arrangement overseen by the National Pension Commission. Even though the House has already passed the bill and forwarded it to the Senate, but concurrence from the upper chamber is still pending.
Rep Onuakalusi reminded lawmakers that members of the Nigeria Police Force work under some of the most dangerous conditions in the country, risking their lives daily to maintain order. He lamented that many retired officers continue to face economic hardship under a pension structure that does not reflect the realities of their service.
He emphasised that unlike the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and Customs Service, all of which enjoy dedicated pension systems, police retirees remain tied to a contributory scheme that has long proved inadequate.
He also noted that the scheme has led to delays in payment, low lump-sum disbursements, and inconsistent monthly stipends, leaving many former officers in severe financial distress after decades of service.
The lawmaker described the sight of ageing pensioners sleeping in the open at the National Assembly gate as both a humanitarian concern and an embarrassment to the nation. He added that the situation has also dampened the morale of serving officers, with potential implications for internal security.
The House observed that similar pension reforms have already been successfully introduced for the military, Customs, and intelligence services. It emphasised that creating a Police Pension Board with its own dedicated structure is long overdue and necessary to restore dignity and motivation within the force.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and resolved that its leadership will engage with the Senate to expedite concurrence on the bill so it can be sent to the President for approval without further delay.
