Reps seek commission for retired police officers’ welfare

Politics Spice Special Features Education Sex & Relationship Interview Columns Opinion Advertise with us Reps seek commission for retired police officers’ welfare News November 1, 2026 12:00 am File: House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is set to debate a bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Police Veterans Commission to address the welfare, healthcare, and other post-service needs of retired and medically retired police officers across the country.

The proposed legislation is aimed at providing a comprehensive framework for recognising the service and sacrifices of former police officers while ensuring that they receive adequate support after leaving active service.

Titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigeria Police Veterans Commission to provide a national framework for the welfare, healthcare, disability support, rehabilitation, housing, education, family support, social protection, reintegration, and professional engagement of retired and medically retired police officers; to provide for the coordination of police veterans’ welfare under the federal and state police systems; to establish the Police Veterans Fund, and for related matters,” the bill was read for the first time on the floor of the House last week.

Sponsored by the lawmaker representing Surulere II Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Lanre Okunlola, the bill seeks to establish a sustainable institutional framework for the welfare and post-service support of police veterans.

A copy of the proposed legislation, exclusively obtained by Sunday PUNCH, indicates that the commission, if established, would facilitate access to retirement benefits, healthcare, housing, education, and other social support services for former officers and their families.

Among its stated objectives is to “facilitate timely access to pensions, gratuities, and other lawful retirement benefits without assuming the statutory functions of pension authorities; provide housing, education, and family support programmes.”

It also seeks to “preserve and utilise the professional knowledge and institutional experience of retired police officers.”

The bill, in Section 48, proposes the establishment of a Police Veterans Fund to finance the commission’s activities and welfare programmes.

It also provides for the creation of a Police Veterans Reserve, a voluntary professional engagement programme through which suitably qualified retired officers could continue to contribute their experience and expertise to the policing system.

In addition, the proposed law seeks to establish a “national framework for the welfare of police veterans under the Nigeria Police Force and State Police Service established by law.”

It defines a police veteran as “a person who has honourably retired from the Nigeria Police Force or a State Police Force after qualifying service, or who has been medically retired or permanently disabled as a result of service.”

The Police Veterans Reserve, according to the bill, refers to the voluntary professional engagement programme established under Section 39 of the proposed legislation.

On its governance structure, Section 5 proposes a governing board comprising a chairman to be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate, and the Director-General of the commission.

Other members would include representatives of the Ministry of Police Affairs, Police Service Commission, National Pension Commission, Federal Ministry of Finance, and National Health Insurance Authority, among others.

The board would be responsible for formulating policies for the commission, approving strategic plans and annual budgets, ensuring the proper application of the fund, and setting national standards for police veterans’ welfare.

The commission, on its part, would formulate and implement welfare programmes, maintain a national register of police veterans, coordinate support services, facilitate access to healthcare, and provide assistance to the families of deceased and disabled officers.

The proposed legislation also empowers the commission to enter into agreements with public institutions, private organisations, and development partners to advance its mandate.

It may establish service centres, develop partnerships to provide affordable housing for veterans, and receive grants and donations to support its activities.

Furthermore, the commission would be required to develop a National Police Veterans Policy in consultation with relevant stakeholders. The policy would be reviewed at least once every five years to ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of retired officers.

The bill also provides for the maintenance of a National Police Veterans Register containing information required for the identification and verification of former officers, welfare planning, healthcare delivery, disability support, and the administration of lawful benefits.

The proposed framework is expected to provide a coordinated approach to addressing the welfare challenges of retired police personnel, particularly officers who leave the force due to service-related disabilities and those whose families require continued support after their death.

Dirisu Yakubu is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience covering parliament, politics, and development issues. He specializes in reporting that provides context and insight into legislative and governance matters. Dirisu’s work reflects extensive newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and impactful journalism.

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