President Tinubu Orders Payment of Pension Arrears and Salary Increases for Retired Military Personnel

President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing protests by military veterans by ordering the release of funds to settle pension arrears, salary increases, and other entitlements owed to retired military personnel. The move follows two days of peaceful protests at the Federal Ministry of Finance by veterans who had voiced concerns over the delayed payments.

Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, announced the development on Friday, expressing appreciation for President Tinubu’s prompt response to the situation. Matawalle praised the President’s swift intervention in ensuring that the military veterans received the benefits they were owed.

The Minister further commended President Tinubu for the timely payment of a three-month salary increase and the release of funds designated for the settlement of pension arrears and other owed entitlements. “The payment alerts for the salary increases have already been received by military personnel,” the Minister said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike.

In his statement, Matawalle emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of both active and retired military personnel, highlighting the administration’s ongoing efforts to resolve outstanding pension arrears and improve the living standards of those who have served the nation. “This action reflects the administration’s focus on ensuring that our military veterans are treated with the dignity they deserve,” Matawalle added.

Matawalle also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, for his role in ensuring the successful disbursement of the funds. “I appreciate the efforts of the Ministry of Finance in facilitating this process,” Matawalle said, emphasizing the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration in addressing the veterans’ concerns.

The Minister urged the Nigerian military to remain focused on their duties, reassuring them of the President’s unwavering commitment to boosting morale and providing the necessary support to address security challenges across the country. “Despite initial setbacks, be assured that Mr. President is committed to uplifting our military forces as they confront the challenges of insecurity,” he stated.

In his concluding remarks, Matawalle reaffirmed the government’s dedication to eradicating insecurity in Nigeria. He underscored the critical role of the military in combating insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of criminality, expressing confidence that the payment of these long-awaited entitlements would enhance the military’s readiness and resilience in safeguarding the nation. “President Tinubu remains committed to improving the operational capacity of our military forces,” Matawalle concluded.