Retired military officers on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, protested at the Federal Ministry of Defence in Abuja, demanding the implementation of consequential pension adjustments linked to approved salary increases for serving personnel.
The protest, which attracted heavy security presence around the ministry, was aimed at pressing the government to address what the veterans described as their constitutional pension rights.
Veterans Demand Pension Review
One of the protest leaders, retired Colonel Innocent Azubike, said the retirees were demanding pension adjustments following a new salary structure approved for serving military personnel by President Bola Tinubu in November 2025.
According to Azubike, the approval should have resulted in corresponding increases in pensions for retired personnel, but the adjustments had not been implemented.
He said the veterans had repeatedly raised the issue with the relevant authorities and were now demanding action on what they consider a legal entitlement.
Retirees Cite New Salary Increase
The veterans also pointed to a fresh salary review announced in August 2026 for serving military personnel, which is expected to take effect in September.
The review reportedly provides salary increases ranging from 30 per cent to 80 per cent for active-duty personnel, with the annual military wage bill also expected to rise.
The retirees alleged that funding calculations for the latest salary increase did not adequately provide for corresponding adjustments to military pensions.
“It Is Our Right”
A video from the protest showed a veteran in military camouflage addressing journalists about the pension dispute.
“They don’t want to do the adjustment on our salary which is our right, even though the president approved it since last year,” he said.
The veterans argued that failure to adjust pensions could create disparities between retirees who left service at different times, with some newer retirees potentially receiving higher payments than those who retired earlier at the same rank.
They maintained that relevant laws governing military pensions require adjustments when salaries of serving personnel are reviewed.
No Immediate Official Response
The protest comes amid wider concerns over the welfare of retired military personnel, including pension payments and parity with the earnings of serving troops.
The veterans have previously engaged military authorities over related welfare and remuneration issues.
There was no immediate detailed response from the Federal Ministry of Defence or the Presidency specifically addressing the protesters’ August 19 demands at the time of initial reports.
