The National Pension Commission says police officers don't need to leave the Contributory Pension Scheme to get better retirement benefits. Director-General Omolola Oloworaran made this clear on Tuesday at a media briefing in Abuja.
Police personnel have grown restless over their pensions, but they haven't actually exited the scheme, Oloworaran explained. She said their real complaint centres on the gap between what they receive and what military officers get.
"The police have not exited the Contributory Pension Scheme. They want to exit because they believe their benefits are too small," Oloworaran told reporters.
"They compare their benefits with those of the military and are not happy with that."
PenCom has started engaging with government authorities to address the concerns, she added. The commission backs efforts to improve police pension packages regardless of whether changes happen inside or outside the current system.
"We share their frustration because we stand for anything that puts more money in the pockets of ordinary Nigerians," Oloworaran said. "What they want is improved benefits.
If we achieve that, it doesn't matter whether it is done within the scheme or outside it."
She acknowledged that police officers hold different views on the withdrawal question. While some groups push for an exit, many in the force simply want better living standards after retirement, she noted.
"There are different camps within the police," she explained. "Some are not fully aligned with what we are doing, but many simply want a better standard of living after retirement."
Oloworkaran rejected claims that pensioners routinely struggle to access their retirement money. Retirees who submit complete documentation get their payments without unnecessary delays, she insisted.
The commission actively tracks complaints from contributors and pensioners on social media and investigates legitimate cases, according to her. "Every day, our team monitors social media for complaints," she said.
"Once we identify one, we reach out immediately to establish the facts and resolve the matter."
PenCom is rolling out a Customer Relationship Management platform to improve how it handles complaints from pension contributors and retirees nationwide. The new system will create a unified approach to receiving, tracking and resolving issues across the country.
Beyond the police pension dispute, Oloworkaran said the commission expects a sharp increase in pension enrolment among informal sector workers over the next two years. Reforms designed to expand pension coverage are beginning to show results, she noted.
PenCom is making these gains by digitising registration and streamlining enrolment processes. The commission is also licensing Accredited Pension Agents to bring pension services to markets, rural communities and other areas that currently lack access.
