Aleke Aleke in Abuja
Stakeholders in the defence and civil society sectors have expressed renewed confidence in the Military Pension Board, citing recent reforms that have begun to deliver tangible improvements, including more timely payments and enhanced transparency for retirees.
At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, security expert Jonathan Onoja commended the board, led by Air Vice Marshal Mikail Abdulraheem, for implementing key initiatives such as digital verification processes, clearing long-standing arrears, and strengthening accountability mechanisms.
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He noted that, despite lingering challenges, these reforms represent a meaningful step towards restoring trust and dignity for retired military personnel who rely on the scheme for their livelihood.
Speaking under the auspices of the Northern Security Advocacy Group, Onoja also criticised what he described as a coordinated campaign to discredit the Chairman of the Military Pension Board.
He maintained that the forum was convened to condemn sustained attempts to undermine the board’s leadership, alleging that the campaign was being driven by some retired senior military officers seeking to distract from ongoing reforms.
Onoja emphasised that since assuming office, Abdulraheem has introduced measures that have accelerated pension and gratuity payments while improving transparency, directly impacting the welfare of retirees.
He added that the digital verification system has enhanced accountability by eliminating fraudulent claims and ensuring that only verified veterans are captured within the payment structure.
According to him, these changes have also reduced administrative bottlenecks, making it easier for elderly beneficiaries to access their entitlements without undue delays.
On the issue of the chairman’s appointment, Onoja alleged that vested interests had misled the presidency, insisting that the governing law does not permit the appointment of a retired military officer to the position.
He urged the media to prioritise investigative reporting while avoiding unverified claims that could misrepresent institutional processes.
Also speaking, the group’s Deputy Speaker, Dr Steve Okwori, described the reforms as impactful, noting improved transparency, efficiency, and data integrity.
The group passed a vote of confidence in Abdulraheem’s leadership and called on stakeholders and the media to disregard narratives aimed at undermining the board’s reform agenda.
