A planned nationwide protest by retired military personnel has been suspended following an announcement by the Military Pensions Board (MPB) that it will commence payment of January and February 2025 pension arrears on Friday, June 13.
The protest, which was to involve a march to the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the National Assembly, was initiated by several associations of retired veterans frustrated over unpaid pensions, economic hardship, and lack of access to healthcare.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Squadron Leader Aliyu Mohammed, on behalf of the MPB Chairman, confirmed that pensioners across the country would receive their payments on Friday. He explained that the public holiday on Thursday delayed the disbursement.
“The Military Pensions Board (MPB) wishes to inform all military pensioners that the arrears for January and February 2025 will be unfailingly paid to their respective banks nationwide on Friday, 13 June 2025,” the statement read.
“All military pensioners on the MPB payroll are advised to contact their respective banks on the above date for payment.”
The statement also urged unverified pensioners to contact the board through its official phone lines for assistance.
Sources close to the development clarified that the delay was not due to negligence by the MPB, but rather the non-release of funds from appropriate channels.
The announcement has brought some relief to thousands of affected veterans, many of whom had threatened to occupy major government institutions in Abuja. The suspension of the protest follows the reassurance that long-awaited entitlements will finally be settled.
