…Proposed 200% Gratuity Remains Subject to Approval
IGP Olatunji Disu proposes a 200% gratuity and improved pensions for retired police officers as a Presidential committee considers reforms to address longstanding retirement-benefit concerns.
The proposed police pension reform could link eligible retirees’ pensions to their last salaries, review benefits for some former officers and address liabilities—but government approval is still pending.
Police pension reform: Disu seeks improved retirement benefits
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu has proposed a 200 per cent gratuity and improved pension benefits for retired police personnel as part of efforts to address longstanding concerns over retirement security in the Nigeria Police Force.
The proposed police pension reform is before a Presidential committee established to examine the concerns of serving and retired officers and recommend a sustainable framework for improved retirement benefits, according to reports published on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
Under the proposed arrangement, eligible officers could receive gratuity benefits alongside pensions linked to their last salaries. The package is also intended to address outstanding pension liabilities, improve benefit administration and consider whether qualifying officers who have already retired should benefit from any new framework.
However, the proposal has not received final government approval. The proposed 200 per cent gratuity should therefore not be interpreted as an existing entitlement for serving or retired police officers.
Presidential committee examines police pension reform
The committee considering the police pension reform comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation and the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
The participating institutions are expected to examine the financial and administrative implications of the proposals and recommend measures for addressing outstanding liabilities and improving the management of retirement benefits.
The committee’s work is significant because any major change to police gratuity and pension arrangements would require decisions on funding, eligibility, implementation and the treatment of existing retirees.
The outcome of the deliberations will help determine whether the proposed changes are adopted and the conditions under which they could take effect.
Proposed 200% gratuity remains subject to approval
The proposed 200 per cent gratuity is one of the central elements of the police pension reform being considered.
Reports say the suggested package would combine an enhanced gratuity with pension benefits linked to an eligible officer’s final salary. However, the available reports do not establish a final formula for calculating the gratuity or clarify all eligibility conditions.
Consequently, serving officers approaching retirement and former personnel should await official guidelines before making financial decisions based on the proposed package.
The final framework, if approved, will need to specify the applicable benefit structure, qualifying service categories, funding arrangements and implementation timetable.
Salary-linked pensions could change retirement planning
Another element of the proposed police pension reform is the possibility of linking eligible officers’ pension benefits to their last salaries.
Retirement income is a significant concern for former officers who must meet recurring household expenses, healthcare costs and other living expenses after leaving active service.
A salary-linked arrangement could change how benefits are calculated, depending on the formula and conditions ultimately approved by the government.
However, the precise meaning of the proposed linkage, including how it would interact with existing pension arrangements, remains subject to further clarification.
Contributory Pension Scheme remains a major point of contention
The proposal comes amid longstanding agitation by serving and retired police personnel over the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
Retired officers have raised concerns about the adequacy of benefits, delays in payment and administrative difficulties. Some serving personnel have also demanded withdrawal from the scheme.
On October 12, Channels Television reported that retired police officers operating under the CPS had issued a deadline to the Federal Government, PenCom and the Inspector-General of Police over their pension demands. The group warned that failure to meet its demands could lead to a planned protest in Abuja on November 2.
The continuing debate places the proposed police pension reform within a broader dispute over how police retirement benefits should be structured, funded and administered.
The final government position will determine whether the proposed package addresses the concerns raised by affected personnel and what changes, if any, will be made to the existing scheme.
Will existing police pensioners benefit?
One of the important questions surrounding the proposal is whether it will extend to officers who retired before a new framework takes effect.
Reports indicate that the proposal envisages reviewing benefits for eligible former officers rather than restricting possible changes exclusively to future retirees.
Nevertheless, no final eligibility criteria have been established in the reports reviewed. It remains unclear which categories of retirees would qualify, how previous benefits would be treated or whether adjustments would be applied retrospectively.
These details will be crucial to determining the practical impact of the police pension reform on existing pensioners.
Government reports pension arrears clearance and increases
The latest reports also state that the Federal Government has cleared a backlog of pension payments that previously left some retirees waiting for extended periods and introduced pension increases for some beneficiaries.
According to reports, some beneficiaries are receiving almost twice their previous payments.
Separately, the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs announced in August 2026 that a government committee was reviewing police salaries, allowances, pension-related benefits and outstanding welfare obligations. Its statement highlighted the need for sustainable funding mechanisms and better coordination to support implementation of approved welfare measures.
These developments indicate that police welfare and retirement benefits remain part of a wider government review. However, the reported clearance of arrears and increases for some beneficiaries do not mean the proposed 200 per cent gratuity has been approved.
Funding and implementation will determine the outcome
The success of the proposed police pension reform will depend on the Presidential committee’s recommendations, subsequent government decisions, funding arrangements and clear implementation guidelines.
A sustainable framework would need to address the value of retirement benefits as well as timely payment, transparent administration and the resolution of outstanding obligations.
For retired officers, clarity on eligibility and payment schedules will be just as important as any increase in the value of their benefits.
Until the relevant authorities issue a formal decision, the proposal remains under consideration rather than a guaranteed change to existing pension rights.
What police officers and retirees should know
The main points are clear: Disu has proposed a 200 per cent gratuity and improved pension benefits; a Presidential committee is examining the proposal; and the final arrangements have not been approved.
The proposed police pension reform could affect future retirees and, depending on the final terms, some officers who have already retired. But the amount payable, eligibility conditions and implementation date remain unsettled.
Serving and retired officers should rely on official announcements from the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Government and relevant pension authorities for confirmation of any approved changes.
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