A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Esther Marcos, has stirred public debate after a heartfelt video detailing her pension ordeal went viral.
The clip highlighted the struggles faced by Nigerian police retirees under the controversial contributory pension scheme.
Marcos, who retired on November 1, 2018, after 35 years of service, disclosed she received a gratuity of just ₦1.7 million and a subsequent monthly pension of ₦40,000.
How on earth is anyone who worked for 35 years paid N1.7m ($1,100) as gratuity?
This is a retired DSP of @policeng speaking about her pension and gratuity after retiring from the Nigerian Police Farce, this is so sad!Nigeria does nothing but evil to its workers.
It is the… pic.twitter.com/HHM06vks6U
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) January 3, 2025
Sowore reacts
Reacting to the video, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore expressed outrage on X (formerly Twitter).
“How on earth is anyone who worked for 35 years paid ₦1.7m ($1,100) as gratuity?” he asked, labelling the situation “so sad.”
Sowore also criticised the disparity between police pensions and the generous allowances of lawmakers.
“This is the same country where a senator takes home ₦29 million monthly. Ironically, these officers will defend the system that oppresses us all,” he remarked.
The revelations have reignited calls for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s pension policies, with many questioning the fairness of the current scheme.
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