By RismadarVoice Media
December 19, 2025
Retired Police officers in Kaduna State gathered for a special prayer session to express gratitude to God and the National Assembly for passing the Harmonized Police Exit Bill, which aims to remove them from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
At the event that took place at the Police Officers’ Mess in Kaduna, they also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign the bill into law, promptly.
During the event, the Kaduna State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers, Retired Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Mannir M. Lawal, described the bill passage by both chambers of the National Assembly as a long-awaited relief, attributing it to divine intervention.
He commended the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for their commitments towards addressing the challenges faced by police retirees. Lawal pointed out that officers have been subject to the CPS for over 15 years after retirement, in contrast to their peers in other security agencies.
“We are here to thank God and appreciate the National Assembly for this historic step, and to passionately urge Mr. President to expedite his assent to this bill so our sufferings can finally come to an end,” Retired CSP Lawal stated.
He expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would sign the bill, highlighting his track record as Governor of Lagos State, where police welfare received significant attention.
He added: “Mr. President has always shown concern for the welfare of police officers. We believe he will do the right thing once the bill reaches his desk.”
The Union also emphasized that the Contributory Pension Scheme has subjected thousands of retired police officers to hardship, poverty, preventable deaths.
According to Lawal, many retirees struggle to meet basic needs, such as providing food for their families, accessing medical care, paying school fees for their children, leading to widespread suffering and increased school dropouts.
He explained that exiting the CPS would allow police retirees return to the Defined Benefit Scheme, which offers full gratuity, based on their last salary and a stable monthly pension.
The Union also pointed out that the rising cost of living has intensified the challenges faced by retired officers, resulting in increased neglect, premature deaths among members. While celebrating this legislative victory, the retirees stressed that their struggle would only be complete once the President signs the bill into law.
