Abuja, Nigeria – July 28, 2025
A scathing critique by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba has ignited fresh controversy over leadership and welfare policies in the Nigeria Police Force. In a video shared by ESET TV and reported by Sahara Reporters, Baba accused current IGP Kayode Egbetokun of lacking the administrative expertise to address longstanding issues, particularly the contentious Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) that has left thousands of retired officers in distress.
Baba, who served as IGP from 2021 until his replacement on June 19, 2023, under President Bola Tinubu, argued that Egbetokun’s career has been mostly field-based with minimal focus on core administration.
“Unfortunately, the man who succeeded me has not known much of police administration rather than operation because he has been on the field,” Baba said, also alleging that Egbetokun once supported the CPS policy.
The Pension Crisis Unraveled
Introduced in 2014 to replace the corruption-ridden Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS), the CPS requires officers to contribute 8% of their salaries, with the government adding 10%. However, the scheme has become a source of anguish. A recent study by the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) revealed that some retired officers receive as little as ₦14,000 to ₦40,000 monthly, with gratuities barely reaching ₦2.5 million after 35 years of service. Senior officers, including former IGPs, remain exempt, receiving significantly better benefits — a disparity fueling resentment.
The crisis boiled over on July 21, 2025, when thousands of retired officers staged the “Mother of All Peaceful Protests” across Nigeria, from Abuja to Calabar, Ilorin, and Benin City. Braving torrential rains, elderly ex-officers marched with placards reading “End Police Pension Suffering” and “We Deserve Better After Service”. They demanded an exit from the CPS, creation of a dedicated Police Pension Board, and payment of a ₦758 billion pension shortfall owed to security agencies.
Egbetokun’s Response and Limitations
IGP Egbetokun has acknowledged the retirees’ grievances and instructed Commissioners of Police to maintain peace during protests. However, he emphasized that exiting the CPS is beyond his authority due to legal and fiscal constraints. Data from the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) shows only 40% of retired police officers received full benefits under the CPS by 2023, underscoring systemic failure.
Baba’s Personal Account and Call for Reform
Baba’s criticism goes beyond policy, citing personal examples. He revealed that some of his colleagues have yet to receive pensions, including his former Personal Assistant, Isah, who retired seven months ago without any payment.
“How do you expect performance, loyalty, commitment when you are afraid of retiring?” Baba asked, comparing the lack of police pre-retirement support with the military’s structured transition programs.
He also disclosed that he has never discussed the pension issue with Egbetokun, noting a lack of engagement between past and present leadership.
A Nation Divided
The debate has divided opinions nationwide. Supporters of Baba argue that his experience highlights systemic flaws, while defenders of Egbetokun cite structural and legal limitations. The National Association of Retired Police Officers Contributory Pension Scheme (NARPO-CPS) has called for a return to the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS), similar to the military’s model.
With protests ongoing and the ₦758 billion shortfall unresolved, all eyes are on whether the Tinubu administration will intervene. For now, the cries of retired officers echo a deeper call for security sector reform in Nigeria.
