By Christopher Akut
The Coalition of Concerned Veterans of Nigeria (CCV) has declared a nationwide protest against the Military Pensions Board (MPB) over alleged short-payment of the presidentially approved pension increase for retired military personnel.
The coalition, an umbrella body of military veterans’ associations in Nigeria, accused the MPB of failing to implement the pension increase in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, alleging that the board introduced a different computation formula that resulted in reduced payments to veterans across various ranks.
In a press statement dated October 14, 2026, the coalition said its leadership reached the decision to embark on the protest after three days of deliberations over the controversy surrounding the implementation of the pension increase.
According to the group, President Tinubu, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, approved a percentage increase in pensions for military veterans based on their respective ranks to alleviate the hardship faced by retired personnel who served the country.
However, the coalition alleged that the MPB departed from the presidential directive by introducing what it described as an unauthorised computation formula, resulting in varying levels of short-payment across ranks, except for generals.
The group argued that the alleged action undermined the purpose of the presidential approval, particularly its objective of addressing disparities in military pensions.
The coalition described the alleged short-payment as an affront to the authority of the President and an injustice to retired military personnel who had served the country.
Dialogue Fails to Resolve Dispute
The CCV said efforts to resolve the disagreement through dialogue had failed to produce a satisfactory outcome.
According to the statement, the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board convened a meeting to explain the board’s position, while a formal letter was subsequently sent to the MPB urging it to comply with the presidential directive and reverse the disputed computation.
The coalition, however, said the board’s response fell short of expectations and was rejected by veterans, who felt cheated and shortchanged.
It added that the controversy had generated widespread anger and discontent among retired military personnel across the country.
The group further disclosed that some veterans had already commenced protests at the premises of the Military Pensions Board in Abuja before the coalition announced its decision to join them in solidarity.
Protest to Hold at Defence Ministry, Salaries Commission
Following its emergency deliberations, the coalition declared a solidarity protest scheduled to commence on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Federal Ministry of Defence, Ship House, Abuja, and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
The group said the demonstration would be peaceful and lawful, stressing that its members were demanding justice and strict compliance with the President’s directive.
The coalition outlined three major demands, including the immediate reversal of the computation formula it described as illegal, full implementation of the presidentially approved pension increase according to veterans’ ranks, and correction of the affected pension payments in the October 2026 payroll.
It insisted that the Military Pensions Board must implement the approved percentage increase without altering the directive.
Veterans Threaten Wider Action
The coalition warned that failure to address its demands could trigger a wider and sustained protest by veterans nationwide.
It threatened to intensify its actions, including shutting down the operations of the Military Pensions Board and prolonging protests at the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance and National Assembly.
“We served this nation with our blood and our lives. We will not allow any appointee of government to shortchange us and insult the President in the process,” the statement declared.
The group called on military veterans, affiliated associations and Nigerians sympathetic to its cause to support the protest.
It maintained that it would not back down until the disputed pension computation was reviewed and the affected veterans received what it considered their rightful entitlements.
The statement was signed electronically on behalf of the coalition and its affiliated associations, including the Retired Members of Nigerian Armed Forces (REMENAF), Mando Ex-servicemen Welfare Association, Foundation for Care of Retired Military Personnel, Ex-servicemen Welfare Association, Bwari, and other veterans’ groups.
Copies of the statement were also addressed to the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police and Director-General of the Department of State Services.
The allegations against the Military Pensions Board were contained in the coalition’s statement. The board’s response was not included in the statement provided.
