The Chairman of the Military Pension Board, Air Vice Marshal Mikail Abdulraheem, has reportedly been removed from office following a dispute between the board and retired military personnel over the payment and computation of their pensions and other entitlements.
The development came barely a week after protesting veterans clashed with the board’s management over alleged discrepancies in the calculation of their pension benefits.
Sources familiar with the matter told Daily Trust that the confrontation was considered an embarrassment to the military authorities and the administration of President Bola Tinubu, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. 
The dispute escalated last Tuesday when a meeting between the board’s management and representatives of the retired officers reportedly ended in a heated exchange, with both sides failing to reach an agreement.
The meeting was convened after retired military personnel staged a protest at the board’s headquarters, where they blocked the main entrance to demand the correction of what they described as erroneous calculations of their pensions and other entitlements.
The protesters, led by retired Lieutenant-Colonel Innocent Azubuike, arrived at the headquarters at about 8:30 a.m. and appealed to President Tinubu to intervene in the matter.
They accused the board of creating disparities in pension structures and payments, insisting that the alleged discrepancies had caused hardship among retired personnel.
Efforts to resolve the disagreement reportedly continued after the meeting but failed to produce a resolution.
A source also said the development had embarrassed the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.
Findings on Wednesday indicated that Abdulraheem had been directed to step aside and hand over the affairs of the board to another officer.
A senior military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the handover was expected to take place on Wednesday.
The officer said the veterans’ protest had caused significant embarrassment to the Presidency and military authorities.
“That last week protest by the veterans really embarrassed the Presidency and the military. I think that is the reason the Chairman is being asked to step aside,” the source said.
