The Military Pensions Board (MPB) has assured military retirees that their outstanding pension arrears will be paid soon. This announcement was made by the MPB Chairman, Air Vice Marshal Paul Irumheson, while addressing protesting veterans at the Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Tuesday.

The retirees had gathered to demand the payment of arrears covering a 20% to 28% salary increment for January to November 2024, along with other unpaid benefits. These include:

• Palliatives from October 2023 to November 2024
• An additional ₦32,000 added to pensions
• Bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance
• Refunds of deductions from medically boarded soldiers’ pensions

AVM Irumheson confirmed that the Federal Government has released the remaining 50% of the pension arrears and assured the retirees that payments are being processed.

“I assure you that any moment from now, you will begin to receive your alerts,” he said.

This development follows a partial payment made in December 2024, after similar protests. However, delays in paying the balance led to the resumption of protests on Tuesday.

The protesting veterans expressed frustration over the delayed payments but began to calm down after the MPB chairman confirmed that the funds had been received. Retired Colonel Innocent Azubuike, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, stated that they would wait for proof of payment before ending their demonstration.

“The Chairman of the Military Pensions Board is here to confirm that the money has been transferred. That means we are confident we will be paid,” Azubuike said.

The retirees, now optimistic, are looking forward to receiving their long-awaited payments.