Author: Gist Correspondent

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Pensions Limited has disclosed that more than 5,000 police officers are expected to retire from service in 2026, urging serving and retired personnel to update their records to prevent delays in accessing retirement benefits.

The disclosure was made by a Commissioner of Police Pensioner at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sani Doki Yusuf, during a sensitisation programme held in Kano for retired officers and those scheduled to retire next year.

Yusuf said the programme was designed to draw attention to the importance of proper documentation, noting that most pension-related challenges confronting retirees stem from inconsistencies in personal records.

According to him, discrepancies in names and other personal details—often arising from changes made during officers’ years of service—have continued to hamper the smooth processing of pensions, necessitating ongoing nationwide engagement with personnel.

“The essence of this exercise is to remind our colleagues to ensure that their pension documentation is properly done. Many officers are facing challenges today because their records were not updated in good time,” he said.

Yusuf added that while the board has successfully settled the benefits of many retired officers, over 5,000 personnel are expected to exit the force in 2026, making early preparation critical.

He said the sensitisation programme, which involved pension professionals, was aimed at helping officers understand pension procedures and reducing pressure on the pension board.

Also speaking, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Lydia Enemona Ameh, Director at the Nigeria Police Pensions and Force Insurance Office, said the board had stepped up efforts to decentralise pension services and bring them closer to officers to ease stress and minimise delays.

She described the exercise as a proactive approach to educating retirees and officers nearing retirement on the requirements for prompt payment of their entitlements.

On his part, the Managing Director of NPF Pensions, Abdulkarim Shehu Gezawa, explained that retirees are entitled to a lump sum of not less than 25 per cent of their retirement savings, after which they can choose between programmed withdrawal or annuity for periodic pension payments.