Nigeria TV Info

Retired Soldiers Block Finance Ministry in Abuja Over Delayed Pensions

Abuja, Nigeria — Scores of retired Nigerian soldiers on Thursday blocked the entrance to the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, protesting delays in the release of funds to the Military Pensions Board (MPB) for the payment of their outstanding entitlements.

The pensioners said they resumed the protest after officials of the Ministry of Finance failed to meet an earlier deadline of August 10 to release their benefits.

The ex-servicemen had previously suspended a similar protest on August 4 following a meeting with officials from the Ministries of Defence and Finance, during which they were assured that the backlog of payments would be cleared.

One of the protesters, identified as Mama G, said the renewed demonstration was prompted by what she described as the government’s failure to honor its commitments.

“We are here because the promises made to us were never fulfilled. We had no choice but to return to the streets. This time around, the protest will be massive,” she said.

In recent years, retired soldiers have staged multiple protests in Abuja and other cities, citing persistent delays in pension payments and accusing authorities of neglect.

As of press time, the Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters, and the Military Pensions Board had not issued any statement in response to the protest.