Military Veterans Urge Tinubu To Review Pension Amid Economic Struggle

Abdul-Malik Jibril, national chairman of the Nigerian Legion, asked President Bola Tinubu to consider reviewing military veterans' pensions given the current economic realities in Nigeria.

The request was made during the Wreath Laying Ceremony on the Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the National Arcade in Abuja on Monday.

Jibril asked the government to make timely payments for all ex-service officers, including death benefits received by their respective families.

"There should be a corresponding review of the pension of the veterans as the government embarks on the review of the national minimum wage for workers," Jibril said, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

"The current economic realities demand holistic intervention; we should continue to enhance the well-being of those left behind by our heroes, including those who are serving. So, the government should not get tired of looking at the welfare of veterans, especially the salaries of members of the armed forces," he added.

The national chairman further noted that there should be a corresponding increase in the "salaries of those who have left and the families of the fallen heroes."

Veronica Aluko, president of the Military Widows Association, expressed appreciation for those who remember the sacrifices these fallen heroes made for Nigeria.

However, she said members of the association need urgent support from the government so they can have a sustainable way of living and provide a better future for their children.

Nigerians have been going through a difficult time, especially after Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, which increased fuel and food prices across the country. The announcement came when the country was already going through a shortage of cash due to demonetization.

Last month, Tinubu asked Nigerians to be patient and confident, as Nigeria would "shortly emerge into a new dawn of prosperity, peace and irreversible progress."

The president noted that he was well aware of the "unique sacrifices" Nigerians were making and assured them these reforms were necessary, as they would help the country achieve a "prosperous" and "peaceful nation" in the long run.

Earlier this year, Alfred Martins, Catholic archbishop of Lagos, asked the government to make the lives of Nigerians easier in the new year considering the hardships people had to endure in 2023, particularly the effects of the fuel subsidy removal and demonitization.