Amid growing tension and planned protests by retired military personnel over unpaid entitlements, the Military Pensions Board (MPB) has announced that pension arrears for January and February 2025 will be paid on Friday, June 13.
Veteran groups had mobilized for a nationwide protest in Abuja, citing economic hardship and inability to access medical care due to delayed pensions. Their planned march was expected to take them to the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the National Assembly to demand payment and address issues such as the non-harmonization of the Security Department Allowance.
Sources disclosed that the delay in payment was linked to funding constraints, not negligence by the MPB.
In a statement signed by Squadron Leader Aliyu Mohammed on behalf of the MPB Chairman, the board confirmed the disbursement of the outstanding pensions, noting that the payments would be credited to pensioners’ bank accounts nationwide on Friday.
The statement said the payment could not be made on Thursday due to the public holiday but would be completed the following day. All military pensioners on the MPB payroll were advised to contact their banks for confirmation. Pensioners yet to be verified were urged to reach the MPB through its official contact numbers.
The announcement has eased tensions among thousands of retired service members, bringing relief after months of delay.
